Failed Rangers' Jacob Trouba trade this summer will be revisited until a deal gets done

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Daniel Lucente
November 8, 2024 (1:39 PM)

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The New York Rangers were close to trading their captain Jacob Trouba this summer, but after a failed trade, the team will revisit it once again until it happens.

The New York Rangers went into the 2024-25 season still carrying captain Jacob Trouba on their roster, after a full-scale effort over the summer to deal him elsewhere. There were reports that the Rangers had a trade in place with the Detroit Red Wings, but it was allegedly vetoed by Trouba, who has a 15-team no-trade clause.

While he has still been very committed to the team publicly, considering how things seem to have unfolded in their possible desire to part ways with their captain, it would not be surprising for there to be some tension beneath the surface.

The no-trade clause in Jacob Trouba's contract holds significant implications for his future with the Rangers. Currently, he can block trades to half of the NHL teams, but he'll shift to a 12-team no-trade clause after July 1, 2025, in the final year of his contract.

With that, general manager Chris Drury is likely to push for another attempt to move Trouba next summer, hoping to have more flexibility to complete a deal.

«The brief, futile attempt to get him to waive his no-trade clause and leave this past offseason was a bit ill-advised, but Trouba and his camp seem to understand that this is going to happen next summer with or without their input.»

The trade of Trouba would free up much-needed cap space for key players to remain with the Rangers. This team is set up for a number of tough contract decisions, and that includes Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick, K'Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, and forwards Reilly Smith, Kaapo Kakko, and Will Cuylle.

All of them cannot be afforded by the team, but moving Trouba could work as a means of financial flexibility in terms of locking down important pieces in their lineup.

He himself said at the beginning of the season that this may be their "last crack," understanding how this team will struggle and go through stresses this season in striving for accomplishment. With a roster full of high-ceiling players and with added cap pressure, indeed it could be the last with some of these familiar faces.

It would appear to be a given if the course of the entire regular season indicates anything, that this is pretty strong, Trouba's eventual leave post-2024-25 season from New York. The reshaped roster of the Rangers could emerge from what might well be his way out to more long-term success for them.