The New York Rangers started the 2024-25 season with captain Jacob Trouba, even though most expected him to be the target of a summer trade attempt.
He has been a consistent presence on the blue line for the team and publicly professed his commitment to winning with the Rangers, downplaying any residual tensions.
There is, however, reason to believe that issues persist from last year, particularly in light of a report from The Athletic's Arthur Staples suggesting friction prior.
The team reportedly explored dealing Trouba to the Detroit Red Wings over the summer, but it was said that Trouba stepped in and scratched the deal using his 15-team no-trade clause.
That gives him a lot of say in where he goes, although an alteration to the clause next season could open new doors for the Rangers.
After July 1st, Trouba's no-trade clause drops down from 15 teams to 12, and then Rangers' general manager Chris Drury can gain a little bit more flexibility with it.
As Staples implied, Drury probably will try that again then since the team is looking to free up that valuable cap space.
Along with a possible trade involving Trouba, the Rangers would solve one of their impending financial problems and be able to keep other important players who will become free agents.
Moving Trouba would afford the Rangers the space they need to extend some very important talents, including goalie Igor Shesterkin, backup Jonathan Quick, defensemen K'Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren, and forwards Reilly Smith, Kaapo Kakko, and Will Cuylle.
It goes without saying, that Drury can't afford to keep them all, but moving Trouba would free up the space required for the quintessential core lineup pieces.
It was Jacob Trouba himself who somewhat insinuated this could be the "last crack" for this current core of Rangers.
With the likelihood he will be dealt next summer, this indeed might be the last season for this core to contend together, putting more pressure on this team to start succeeding in New York.
POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 8 | 122 ANSWERS Rangers will attempt to once again move captain Jacob Trouba following failed trade Should the Rangers trade Jacob Trouba? | ||
Yes | 84 | 68.9 % |
No | 38 | 31.1 % |
LIST OF POLLS |
G | A | PTS | ||
Drake Batherson | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
Adam Fox | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Owen Power | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Brady Tkachuk | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Tim Stutzle | - | 2 | 2 | |
Cutter Gauthier | 1 | - | 1 | |
Noah Gregor | 1 | - | 1 | |
Reilly Smith | 1 | - | 1 | |
Tage Thompson | 1 | - | 1 | |
Mika Zibanejad | 1 | - | 1 | |
Bowen Byram | - | 1 | 1 | |
Sam Carrick | - | 1 | 1 | |
Nick Jensen | - | 1 | 1 | |
Peyton Krebs | - | 1 | 1 | |
Mason McTavish | - | 1 | 1 | |
Josh Norris | - | 1 | 1 | |
Zack Ostapchuk | - | 1 | 1 | |
Artemi Panarin | - | 1 | 1 | |
John-Jason Peterka | - | 1 | 1 | |
Jake Sanderson | - | 1 | 1 | |
Complete stats |
STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Wild | 28 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 42 | |
Jets | 30 | 21 | 9 | - | 42 | |
Capitals | 27 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 40 | |
Golden Knights | 28 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 39 | |
Devils | 31 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 39 | |
Panthers | 29 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 38 | |
Hurricanes | 28 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 37 | |
Kings | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 37 | |
Maple Leafs | 28 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 36 | |
Stars | 27 | 17 | 10 | - | 34 | |
Conference | Cumulative |