When the New York Rangers named
Jacob Trouba captain over the summer, folks all over the NHL were surprised, but inside the Rangers' room, I am not sure that was the case. Trouba obviously has the respect of his teammates, Gallant naming him captain seems like an homage to the late-90s era of captain; Chris Pronger, Darien Hatcher and dare I say Scott Stevens?
Trouba is in no way the Blueshirts' best player, but he is their meanest. His style fits head coach Gerard Gallant's philosophy, and other teams will have to be aware when Trouba is on the ice; which is what you want in a captain.
When asked his thoughts on Trouba's captaincy,
Artemi Panarin said satirically there is one reason he did not get the honor: the fact that he does not speak English.
ADS
The Rangers are rolling into 2022-23 looking to reassert their dominance in the perennially strong Metropolitan Division and you can bet Trouba will be a tone-setter. Following their Conference Final loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gallant's Rangers will not be satisfied with anything less than a Stanley Cup.
With
Igor Shesterkin,
Artemi Panarin,
Mika Zibanejad, and a strong supporting cast around them, anything is possible for this group. Although, Chris Drury is actively searching for a big fish to add.
Patrick Kane perhaps?
ADS
RELATED ARTICLES
ADS
