The New York Rangers attempted to trade defenseman and captain Jacob Trouba ahead of free agency but were unsuccessful in finding a suitable partner. Reports during the draft suggested a potential trade with the Detroit Red Wings, which Trouba blocked by including Detroit in his 15-team no-trade list.
Emily Kaplan of ESPN disclosed on July 9 that Trouba exercised his contractual right to veto the trade to the Red Wings, stating, “There was a deal in place with the Red Wings, I am told, and Jacob used the power he earned in his contract to block it, and that’s within his right.”
As a result, Trouba remains with the Rangers unless circumstances change over the next few months that could lead to a trade with one of the teams on his approved list. The situation has been described as awkward and uncomfortable behind the scenes for the Rangers.
In the 2023-2024 season, Trouba recorded 22 points (3 goals, 19 assists) in 69 regular-season games. Despite his contributions, the team’s playoff performance fell short of expectations, prompting discussions about potential changes.
Financially, trading Trouba would provide the Rangers significant salary cap relief, with PuckPedia projecting them to have $13.6 million in cap space entering July 1, and saving $8 million each of the next two seasons if no salary is retained in a trade.
Thus, Trouba’s decision to block the trade has implications for both his future with the Rangers and the team’s roster management heading into the offseason.
Jacob Trouba’s Reasons for Blocking the Trade
Jacob Trouba, the captain and a key leader for the New York Rangers, has had a notable career path since being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets as the 9th overall pick in 2012. During his tenure with the Jets, Trouba played 408 games before being traded to the Rangers in June 2019. Following the trade, he signed a contract with New York in July of that year, effectively avoiding arbitration.
In his time with the Rangers, Trouba has appeared in 340 games, tallying 31 goals and 99 assists. However, his recent postseason performance in 2024 was reportedly below expectations.
According to sources cited by Vince Mercogliano of USA Today on July 1st, Trouba is displeased with the Rangers’ attempt to trade him and has expressed reluctance to relocate his family. His wife, Kelly, is pursuing a medical career in New York, and their first child, Axel, was born in January. The situation is further complicated by the timing of Kelly’s medical residency, which was initially set to end in July 2024 but has been extended to July 2025 due to program adjustments.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Trouba’s family situation and personal commitments in New York weigh heavily in his decision-making process regarding a potential trade. Despite having a no-movement clause in his contract, which was set to expire with the completion of Kelly’s residency, the current circumstances and family considerations make any potential move challenging for Trouba.
Ultimately, the Rangers’ efforts to possibly trade Trouba reflect internal decisions to reshape the team, but they face a complex situation given Trouba’s leadership role, family ties, and personal commitments in New York. The outcome will likely have implications not only for Trouba’s future but also for the overall locker room dynamics of the team.
Rangers Determined to Trade or Waive Jacob Trouba
Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported initially on June 29 that the New York Rangers were actively pursuing a trade involving defenseman Jacob Trouba. Two days later, on July 1, Brooks updated the situation, stating that the Rangers had made a definitive decision regarding Trouba’s future. They had determined to move him during the offseason before his no-move clause converted into a 15-team no-trade list.
Brooks wrote, “Monday (July 1) is the day that Jacob Trouba’s no-move clause transforms to a 15-team no-trade list. Now the Rangers have leverage via the limited no-trade clause and have decided they can’t afford an $8M cap hit for a defenseman who is projected to be on the third pair. If Trouba does not approve a trade to Detroit that is believed in place, he will ultimately be sent somewhere else, perhaps by waivers. The decision has been made.”
Trouba’s contract with the Rangers has two seasons remaining, with a hefty $8 million cap hit each year. If the Rangers opt to trade him, they could alleviate some of their salary cap burden for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Specifically, trading Trouba would save the Rangers $4 million in cap space annually. However, there would be financial ramifications in the form of dead-cap penalties totaling $2 million for each of the subsequent two seasons.
In the event the Rangers choose to buy out Trouba’s contract instead of trading him, they would incur additional costs and extend the financial commitment, effectively turning his remaining two years into a four-year financial obligation.
Thus, the Rangers face critical decisions regarding Trouba’s future, balancing financial considerations with roster needs as they navigate the complexities of NHL salary cap management.
