Jacob Trouba Opens Up About Rangers Exit: “It Wasn’t Handled Well”
Jacob Trouba, the former captain of the New York Rangers, didn’t hold back when discussing his recent trade to the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old defenseman expressed frustration with how the Rangers managed the situation, claiming the months of public speculation surrounding his future negatively impacted his ability to lead the team.
“I wasn’t really thrilled with how it went down. In my opinion, things could have been handled better,” Trouba said. “It’s unfortunate how it all happened. But it’s a rite of passage to get fired from MSG.”
The trade, finalized on Friday, sent Trouba to Anaheim in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick. The Ducks also agreed to take on Trouba’s entire contract, which carries an $8 million average annual value through the 2025-26 season.
Months of Speculation and a Difficult Decision
The Rangers had been looking to move Trouba since last offseason, aiming to free up salary cap space and provide more opportunities for their younger defensemen. Trouba’s contract included a no-movement clause until July, when it converted to a 15-team no-trade clause. This trade protection delayed any potential deal until now.
“I was put in a situation this summer to make a decision between my career and my family,” Trouba explained. “I chose my family. I’d choose my family 100 times over again. I don’t feel bad about that.”
However, the public nature of the trade rumors took a toll on Trouba. “I don’t like that everything unfolded so publicly. I guess that’s part of New York,” he added.
Rangers’ Struggles and the Breaking Point
The Rangers have been struggling on the ice, with six regulation losses in their last seven games. In response, general manager Chris Drury sent a memo to all 31 NHL teams, signaling his willingness to make trades. Trouba and forward Chris Kreider were specifically mentioned as available players.
According to Trouba, the situation escalated on Thursday morning when the Rangers gave him an ultimatum: accept a trade or be scratched for Friday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trouba did not participate in the team’s morning skate and was listed as out for “roster management purposes.”
But the breaking point came when the Rangers threatened to place him on waivers, a move that would strip him of any control over his next destination. “Yeah, it was a threat,” Trouba said.
This tactic isn’t new for the Rangers. Last summer, Drury used a similar approach with forward Barclay Goodrow, who was placed on waivers and claimed by the San Jose Sharks in a prearranged move.
A Fresh Start in Anaheim
After the threat of waivers, Trouba agreed to the trade, ending months of speculation that he said affected him both on and off the ice. This season, Trouba has six assists and a minus-3 rating while averaging 20 minutes of ice time per game. He admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his future made it difficult to perform at his best.
“It was difficult to play with that hanging over me,” he said. Trouba also acknowledged that the situation impacted his ability to lead as the team’s captain, a role he had held since the 2022-23 season. “I was pretty open with players on the team,” he said. “Leading was a little bit harder for me in that situation, knowing things were public.”
For the Rangers, moving Trouba’s contract provided much-needed financial flexibility. Just hours after the trade, the team signed star goalie Igor Shesterkin to an eight-year contract extension worth $11.5 million annually, the highest cap hit for a goalie in NHL history.
For Trouba, the trade represents a new chapter with a young Ducks team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2018. He compared the situation to the retooling Rangers squad he joined in 2018 after being traded from the Winnipeg Jets. Trouba also noted that having former teammates Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano on the Ducks will help ease the transition.
Looking Back on His Time in New York
Despite the bitter end to his tenure with the Rangers, Trouba said he’ll always cherish his time in New York. “I loved it,” he said. “The captaincy was extremely special. Two conference finals. Even more so, I had no clue what New York City was when I got here, and I feel like I’ve grown so much as a person. There will always be a piece of my heart in New York.”
As Trouba begins his journey with the Ducks, both he and the Rangers will look to move forward. For Trouba, it’s a chance to start fresh. For the Rangers, it’s an opportunity to reset and refocus on their goals for the season.
Originally Written by: Greg Wyshynski
