Jacob Trouba trade to Ducks stirs exit controversy
The New York Rangers traded former captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Trouba, who has been under scrutiny this season, was left out of the Rangers’ lineup for their 4-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in the day due to “roster management purposes.”
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged the decision to trade Trouba marked a shift for the team.
“I think our team needs a direction,” Laviolette explained. “We’re not playing well right now. I think when you’re not having the success that you want, there has to be a direction that moves differently. This was the decision.”
Trouba, 30, has one year left on a seven-year, $56 million contract he signed with the Rangers in 2019 after being traded from Winnipeg. Anaheim will take on the remainder of the $8 million annual deal, adding the veteran defenseman to their roster.
Trouba revealed his frustration with how his departure was handled, citing the public nature of trade discussions and what he described as an ultimatum from the Rangers.
“Yesterday morning was, ‘Accept this trade or we’re scratching you,'” Trouba said. He also confirmed speculation that the team threatened to place him on waivers if he didn’t agree to a trade, effectively removing his control over the process.
The defenseman had previously exercised his no-trade clause to block a deal to Detroit, prioritizing his wife Kelly’s medical residency in New York over his career. “I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family, and I chose my family,” Trouba said. “I would choose my family 100 times over again.”
Despite the difficult end to Trouba’s time in New York, Laviolette spoke highly of the former captain.
“I thought while he was here, he was a really good player and a really good teammate, a good person,” Laviolette said. “These days are never easy. I wish him nothing but the best.”
During his six seasons with the Rangers, Trouba logged 136 points (31 goals, 105 assists) in 364 games and served as team captain since 2022. This season, his offensive production dipped, with just six assists in 24 games.
Trouba expressed optimism about joining the Ducks, who are currently last in the Pacific Division with a 10-12-3 record. He highlighted similarities between Anaheim’s young roster and the Rangers’ situation when he joined them in 2019.
“They have a great opportunity the next couple of years,” Jacob Trouba said. “It’s kind of a similar situation to when I came to New York with really good young players that are ready to take the next step.”
The Ducks’ general manager, Pat Verbeek, sees Jacob Trouba as a valuable addition.
“He gives us a lot of depth on defense,” Verbeek said. “He’s a really good penalty killer and brings a physical edge. For me, I’m trying to make this team better, and he certainly adds that element.”
Anaheim has struggled in recent seasons, missing the playoffs for six consecutive years. The team has shown modest defensive improvement this season, reducing goals allowed per game to 2.96 compared to 3.57 last year. Trouba’s arrival could bolster their blue line, joining veterans like Radko Gudas and Cam Fowler alongside promising young players such as Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov.
Though the Ducks remain far from playoff contention, Trouba’s leadership and experience could provide stability as the team rebuilds. “I can come in there and make an impact in a positive way,” Trouba said.
Read More: NHL Unveils Wrigley Field Design for Winter Classic
Image: © John Jones-Imagn Images
NHL 
