The New York Rangers’ choice to trade team captain Jacob Trouba has caused a stir within the locker room, as reported by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
During Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Friedman explained how the move, which saw Trouba being traded to the Anaheim Ducks in an effort to create cap space, has left some Rangers players feeling uncertain about their own positions on the team.
“Players were discussing, ‘What just happened?’” Friedman remarked. “It’s not just the fact that it was Trouba, but he was the captain of the team, right?
This elevated role means players reflect on the situation and think, ‘If it could happen to him, it could happen to me.’”
Trouba’s exit was aimed at removing his $8 million cap hit and reportedly followed pressure for him to accept a trade due to potential waivers.
He acknowledged this reality in a conversation with reporters after the trade was announced. Friedman confirmed the nature of the move, calling it “legal” but also “forceful.”
He pointed out that the approach taken by general manager Chris Drury has left players questioning the security of their contracts.
“It’s not as if the Rangers violated any rules,” Friedman stated. “What they did was completely legal but also quite forceful, and we can all have our opinions on that. They exerted pressure on him, and he didn’t have a no-move clause.”
Compounding the Rangers’ struggles this season, they suffered another loss on Monday against the NHL’s worst team, the Blackhawks, bringing their record to 14-12-1.
