NHL insider Arthur Staple from The Athletic predicts that New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba will probably be traded next offseason.
Trouba has been at the center of trade rumors this offseason, reportedly blocking a trade to the Detroit Red Wings because he wants to stay with the Rangers. Despite his desire to remain with the team, trade rumors continue to swirl around him.
Staple, however, anticipates that Trouba will stay with the Rangers for the 2024-25 NHL season and will likely be traded next offseason.
“If you want to talk next summer, then I’d say the chances of a Trouba trade go up from ‘nearly zero’ to ‘nearly certain.’ Both sides, the team and the captain, understand what’s coming after the 2024-25 season ends — new contracts are needed for Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafrenière, and K’Andre Miller, plus a backup goalie and maybe another top-nine forward,” Staple wrote in his article.
“Trouba would have a year left on his deal and be more attractive to potential trade partners. His wife, Dr. Kelly Trouba, would be done with her residency at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. Things look tidier next summer for the Rangers and for Trouba, who surely also feels motivated to erase the ugly playoff run he had coming off a broken ankle late last regular season,” Staple added.
With two years remaining on his contract, Trouba will earn $8 million a season. As the captain of the Rangers, he has 22 points from 69 games, including 3 goals and 19 assists.
Insider Expects Trouba to Willingly Part With Rangers in 2025
Part of the reason why Trouba has been reluctant to be traded is because his wife has one year left on her medical residency in New York. The couple also welcomed a baby boy in January.
Once Trouba’s wife completes her medical residency, Staple anticipates that the Rangers captain will be more open to a trade next offseason when he has one year left on his contract.
“I think you’ll see a player determined to be better for a team that’s still a contender. And, however it ends next season, I also think you’ll see Trouba move on from the Rangers in a much more willing fashion. Just a guess,” Staple wrote.
Ultimately, Staple expects Trouba to be a key part of the Rangers’ season as New York is one of the top Stanley Cup contenders heading into the 2024-25 NHL season.
Trouba and the New York GM Have Spoken
Trouba’s name has been circulating in rumors, which has caused tension in the relationship with the team.
Staple claims that Trouba and Rangers general manager Chris Drury did have a discussion in an effort to patch things up.
The team had to make amends for the rumors that were briefly public, but Trouba is a professional and knows how to handle situations for the good of the team without letting his own emotions get in the way; I guess that’s part of the reason they named you captain in the first place. “According to a league source, there has been at least one conversation between Chris Drury and Trouba in the last few weeks,” Staple wrote.
After being traded from the Winnipeg Jets in 2019, Trouba joined the Rangers. Aug. 9, 2022, saw the naming of him as captain.