Report: Rangers Set to Trade Another important star to Conference Rival
New York Rangers have requested Jacob Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list ahead of free agency and might be close to finalizing a trade that would send the defenseman to the Detroit Red Wings. Larry Brooks, citing a well-placed source, reported in the New York Post on June 29 that Rangers GM Chris Drury is actively “working on a deal” to trade Trouba to the Michigan-based team.
According to Brooks, “A well-placed source has told The Post that GM Chris Drury is working on a deal to send the captain to the Red Wings, a trade that the Michigan native would presumably accept after having played as a freshman for the Wolverines in 2012-13.”
The Post also detailed the potential trade structure, indicating that the Rangers “may retain $2.5 million per year on the two remaining seasons of Trouba’s $8M annual cap charge.”
This would result in New York covering 31.25 percent of Trouba’s remaining $12 million salary. Trouba has two years left on the seven-year, $56 million contract he signed on July 19, 2019.
Starting July 1, Trouba’s full no-move clause will convert into a more manageable 15-team no-trade list, allowing him to veto trades to 15 NHL teams. According to the Post, Trouba is likely to approve a move to his home state of Michigan to play for the Red Wings.
Jacob Trouba’s Struggles Leading to Trade Talk
During the 2023-24 season, Jacob Trouba recorded 3 goals and 19 assists, totaling 22 points in 69 games. In the playoffs, he added 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points in 16 games, though the Rangers did not make it to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Rangers acquired Trouba from the Winnipeg Jets on June 17, 2019. Three years later, on August 9, 2022, he was named the team captain.
Elliotte Friedman hinting towards the Trouba trade happening today. #NYR pic.twitter.com/39luHXzisM
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) June 29, 2024
Shayna Goldman of The Athletic analyzed several players believed to be available for trade on June 28, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of Trouba’s game after his inconsistent 2024 season. Goldman wrote, “At his best, Jacob Trouba is a physical defenseman who can be passable in matchup minutes. At his worst, he’s a high-risk defender whose decisions with and without the puck can prove costly.”
Chris Johnston of The Athletic ranked Trouba as the No. 14 top available player for trade entering the offseason in his Big Board, updated on June 26 before the draft. Johnston noted, “Trouba could be the odd man out. The right-shot defender plays a strong, physical game and is known for laying out opponents with punishing bodychecks. He’s coming off a difficult playoffs but would represent an upgrade for most teams.”
Trading Trouba without retaining any salary would clear his $8 million cap hit from the Rangers’ 2024-25 books. However, the Post report indicated that the Rangers might retain part of his cap hit to facilitate a trade with Detroit, potentially saving only $2.5 million.
Could Patrick Kane Go the Other Way?
New York has been linked to a potential reunion with Red Wings forward and former Rangers player Patrick Kane. In the days leading up to the draft, various reports mentioned the Rangers’ interest in bringing Kane back to Manhattan.
On June 25, Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh of The Athletic discussed this possibility. They noted, “Kane is worth keeping an eye on as free agency nears, especially if the Rangers don’t clear the space needed to go for (Jake) Guentzel. (Kane) has at least some interest in rewriting his ending with the Rangers and could be a cheaper option than the likes of top free agents.”
A few days earlier, on June 18, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported similar sentiments. Seravalli highlighted Kane’s interest in returning to New York. “(Kane) felt like when he got to New York and was hurt that he tried to do his best but that he sort of disappointed them,” Seravalli said. “They didn’t say that, but he felt like he left something on the table because he wasn’t at full strength and I think wanted a chance to try and do that over again to make it right.”
The Rangers acquired Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks midway through the 2022-23 season. Following his stint with the Rangers, Kane signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, where he played 50 games, scoring 20 goals and 27 assists for a total of 47 points in the 2023-24 season.