The New York Rangers have made a significant move to shake up the roster amidst a seven-game losing streak.
The team traded captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim Ducks on Friday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen and a draft pick will go back to the Rangers in return.
A split with Trouba has been rumoured since the summer but things came to a head as the Rangers tumbled down the standings.
Entering Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers sit tied for the final wild-card spot in the East after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year.
After a 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 25, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Rangers general manager Chris Drury was “interested in making moves and shaking up the roster.” Friedman mentioned Trouba and Chris Kreider, the longest-serving Ranger, as two names who could be considered.
Trouba, 30, is in the sixth year of a seven-year, $56 million contract. The deal includes a modified no-trade list that allows Trouba to block a move to 15 teams, according to PuckPedia.
In 24 games this season, Trouba has six assists and is minus-three. He has been with the Rangers since a trade with the Jets in 2019 and has been captain since the start of the 2022-23 season.
