It’s been a whirlwind day for the Rangers and captain Jacob Trouba.
Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday for D Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick, thus ending a tumultuous few months for Trouba and the Blueshirts -- something the 30-year-old made clear in his introductory Zoom call for the Ducks.
New York has been trying to trade Trouba to open up some cap space since last offseason. However, the defenseman had a no-trade clause that included 15 teams.
With that protection, it was difficult for the Rangers to move Trouba. That was made public through the media, something Trouba didn’t appreciate.
"I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family, and I chose my family. I would choose my family 100 times over again. I don’t feel bad about that, I was happy about it,” Trouba explained. “ I don’t like that it was made public necessarily or how things unfolded so publicly. It’s part of New York and what happens.”
Trouba, who was named captain at the start of the 2022-23 season, said the situation affected his playing ability and his ability to lead the team.
In 24 games this season, Trouba has just six points (zero goals) and is a minus-three on the ice this season.
“It made it difficult to play with that hanging over everything,” Trouba continued. “The result is the result and I’m happy I’m moving forward. How it happened was kind of an unfortunate ending to a lot of good times in New York"
Trouba added: “I was pretty open with players on the team, with the leadership group. Leading was a little bit harder for me in that situation knowing things that were public. If they weren’t public and other guys didn’t know I think it would have been an easier situation for me. Things unfolded how they did. It was tough at times for sure. I’m excited that we’re moving past it and kind of got a new start in a way and can put all that behind me and worry about playing hockey again.”