Rangers Captain Jacob Trouba Benched Amid Trade Drama

New York Rangers Captain Jacob Trouba Benched Amid Trade Speculation

The New York Rangers are making waves in the NHL world, and not necessarily for the reasons fans might hope. Captain Jacob Trouba will not be suiting up for their Friday night clash against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The reason? “Roster management purposes,” according to an NHL source who confirmed the news to ESPN. But let’s not sugarcoat it—this move screams trade talks, and the hockey world is buzzing.

At 30 years old, Trouba is no stranger to the business side of the sport. The Rangers have reportedly presented him with several trade options for his approval. Here’s where it gets interesting: Trouba’s contract includes a 15-team no-trade clause, giving him some control over his next destination. His current deal runs through the 2025-26 season and carries a hefty $8 million salary cap hit. That’s a big number for any team to take on, but it hasn’t stopped suitors from lining up.

According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres have all been in talks with the Rangers about Trouba. These teams are clearly intrigued by the veteran defenseman’s skill set, but the Rangers might have a trick up their sleeve to speed up the process.

Waivers as Leverage?

Here’s where things get spicy. The Rangers could use the threat of placing Trouba on waivers as leverage. If they go this route, Trouba would lose any control over where he ends up, as his no-trade clause wouldn’t apply. This tactic isn’t without precedent. Back in June, the Rangers caused a stir when they placed forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers. That move cleared the last three years of Goodrow’s contract when the San Jose Sharks claimed him in what was reportedly a prearranged deal. Could Trouba be next?

It’s worth noting that Trouba’s contract shifted from a full no-movement clause to a partial 15-team no-trade clause on July 1. Multiple reports suggest the Rangers were already exploring trade options before this change took effect. They even asked Trouba for his no-trade list while his full no-movement clause was still active. Despite these efforts, no deal materialized—at least not yet.

Rangers in Trouble

Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The Rangers are currently 13-10-1, sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division and clinging to the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. But things aren’t exactly rosy. The team has lost six of their last seven games in regulation, and the wheels seem to be coming off. In late November, general manager Chris Drury sent a memo to all 31 NHL teams, essentially putting the Rangers’ roster on the market. Trouba and veteran forward Chris Kreider were specifically mentioned as trade possibilities.

For Trouba, this season has been a mixed bag. He’s recorded six assists and a minus-3 rating while averaging 20 minutes of ice time per game. Known as one of the league’s most impactful checking defensemen, Trouba took over as the Rangers’ captain in the 2022-23 season. But the trade rumors have clearly taken a toll. During training camp, Trouba expressed frustration about the constant speculation, saying, “There’s a lot of things that were said and snowballed.”

Family Matters

One of the more personal aspects of this saga involves Trouba’s wife, Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba. Media reports have speculated that her medical residency at a New York hospital could influence Trouba’s willingness to accept a trade. Back in 2019, her career was reportedly a factor in Trouba’s decision to accept a trade to the Rangers from the Winnipeg Jets. Trouba has made it clear that he loves living in New York, saying, “I love living here. I love New York. My family loves it here, as everybody is now aware of. I’m happy to be here.”

What’s Next?

With Trouba out of the lineup, the Rangers have called up AHL defenseman Victor Mancini. Whether this is a temporary move or the start of a new chapter for the Rangers remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the clock is ticking, and all eyes are on Trouba and the Rangers’ front office.

Here’s a quick recap of the key points:

• Jacob Trouba will not play Friday night against the Penguins due to “roster management purposes.”
• The Rangers are actively exploring trade options for Trouba, who has a 15-team no-trade clause.
• Teams reportedly interested in Trouba include the Red Wings, Blue Jackets, Senators, and Sabres.
• The Rangers are struggling, with six regulation losses in their last seven games.
• Victor Mancini has been called up from the AHL to fill Trouba’s spot for now.

Stay tuned, hockey fans. This story is far from over, and the next few days could bring some major developments.