Jacob Trouba is settled into his new life in Anaheim, but the former captain of the Rangers is dissatisfied with how his departure from New York was handled.
“This summer, I faced a choice between my career and my family, and I chose my family. I would make that choice again without hesitation,” Trouba expressed to Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “I don’t regret that. I was pleased with my decision, but I didn’t appreciate that it became public or the way it unfolded so openly; I suppose that’s just part of New York.
“It was challenging to play with that situation looming overhead. The outcome is what it is, and I’m ready to move on, but I’m not particularly pleased with how things transpired. I believe there could have been a better approach. I’m not blaming anyone, but I think the way it all played out was unfortunate.”
Talks about Trouba’s trade began over the summer and reignited recently when Rangers GM Chris Drury shared that the defenseman was available. Trouba confirmed to Walker that if he hadn’t agreed to the trade—given his 15-team no-trade clause—the Rangers were ready to put him on waivers, which would have removed his control over where he could go.
Ultimately, Trouba wasn’t placed on waivers but was traded to the Ducks shortly after, with the Rangers receiving defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in return.
During his time with the Rangers this season, Trouba played 24 games and recorded six points. Over six seasons in New York, the 30-year-old from Rochester, Michigan, participated in 364 regular-season games, scoring 31 goals and adding 105 assists for a total of 136 points. He was named Rangers captain before the 2022-23 season and played a key role in leading the team to its fourth Presidents’ Trophy after finishing the season with 114 points.
This article originally appeared in Daily Faceoff.
