Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Geese by the New York Rangers on Friday for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round choose within the 2025 NHL Draft.
Earlier Friday, the Rangers introduced that Trouba, the staff’s captain, wouldn’t be within the lineup for his or her 4-2 win in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins for roster administration functions, leaving the defenseman’s future with the staff unclear. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette mentioned that the staff had determined to maneuver in a distinct course.
“I believe our staff wants a course,” Laviolette mentioned. “We’re not enjoying nicely proper now. I believe once you’re not having the success that you really want there needs to be a course that strikes otherwise. This was the choice.”
Laviolette added after the win in opposition to the Penguins, “I can let you know and I mentioned this to him, I believed whereas we had been right here, our time right here, I believed he was a extremely good participant and a extremely good teammate, particular person. I believed he labored onerous and tried to set a fantastic instance for the New York Rangers. Lately are by no means simple. I loved working with him and I want him nothing however the very best. He’s man and this was clearly a troublesome day. Change is a troublesome day. I want him the very best. For his time that he was right here, I believed that he was superb for us.”
Rangers normal supervisor Chris Drury mentioned Saturday they’re in no rush to call a brand new captain.
“No set timeline in any respect,” Drury mentioned. “I do suppose with having the captain traded it should open up a chance for another individuals to step up into management roles no matter what 12 months they’re within the League or what 12 months they’re right here.
“I do suppose we now have numerous good leaders in numerous totally different areas on our staff no matter age or expertise, and I believe some individuals are wanting to step up in that regard. It’ll be good to look at and see.”
Trouba, 30, has yet one more season remaining on the seven-year, $56 million contract ($8 million common annual worth) he signed with the Rangers as a restricted free agent on July 19, 2019, after he was acquired in a commerce with the Winnipeg Jets. The Geese will tackle the rest of the contract.
“Anaheim was one of many locations my spouse and I had been concerned about,” Trouba mentioned. “Simply the whole lot about it. The place the staff’s at, I believe they’ve a fantastic alternative within the subsequent couple years. It is sort of the same state of affairs to once I got here to New York with the actually good younger gamers which are able to take the subsequent step, and if there’s one thing I can do to assist contribute to that, I believe that is my aim.
“Clearly, I’m mates with (Geese forwards) Frank (Vatrano) and Ryan Strome, so these are two guys that I’ve talked to prior to now. I’m nonetheless fairly good buddies with them, have talked to them over the previous couple of years, so, clearly I do know what they are saying concerning the group, and so they converse very extremely of the gamers and the staff. It’s a company that is able to take the subsequent actual step, and hopefully that is one other step in the best course.”
Trouba performed 16:45 for New York (14-11-1) in a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday, and a season-low 13:37 in a 4-3 win in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 30.
On Saturday, the Rangers signed goalie Igor Shesterkin to an eight-year, $92 million contract ($11.5 million AAV) that begins subsequent season. Shesterkin may have turn into an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2025.
The Rangers play the fourth of a five-game homestand Sunday in opposition to the Seattle Kraken (1 p.m. ET; KHN, KONG, NHLN, MSG, SN, TVAS).
“There’s at all times numerous transferring elements and it’s my job to strive to determine on a everyday and week to week foundation on what the staff wants,” Drury mentioned. “I’m definitely not opposed to creating extra adjustments, however massive image with that mentioned, the staff has been by means of loads the final couple of weeks and positively this week. I’d wish to let the mud settle somewhat bit. … We’d similar to to let the staff get settled with this somewhat bit.
“We had recreation final night time, and I believe we performed higher in the previous couple of video games earlier than the win [Friday] night time. Trying ahead to hopefully ending off this homestand with Seattle and Chicago on a constructive word.”
The Rangers, who gained the Presidents’ Trophy final season for having the very best report within the League and superior to the Japanese Convention Closing, are fourth within the Metropolitan Division and at the moment maintain the primary wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Japanese Convention.
“It isn’t meant to be a message (to the remainder of the staff),” Laviolette mentioned previous to the commerce. “I believe all people is knowing of the place we’ve been for the final month and the way we’ve performed. We are able to’t proceed down that highway or we’ll discover ourselves out of the playoffs. One of the best factor is we have to set a path that may transfer us again up within the standings and we’ve not performed nicely. I didn’t view it like that, however it’s a change.”