The Rangers are officially shaking things up.
Jacob Trouba has been traded to the Ducks in exchange for D Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Anaheim is also taking on the remainder of Trouba's contract, clearing up around $8 million of cap space for New York, which could prove to be a huge plus as they look to shake things up more moving forward.
The Rangers have been looking to move on from their struggling captain since they made him available ahead of the draft this offseason, but his 15-team no-trade clause which kicked in this summer ultimately complicated things.
As a result, they were forced to hold onto him with hopes that his play would improve in more of a lower-leverage role, but with the team struggling in the defensive end early on, they made him and several other veterans available on the block again.
Many expected wholesale changes to come with three days off following New York’s latest embarrassing home loss to the crosstown rival New Jersey Devils, and now Trouba is officially the first domino to fall.
"I want to sincerely thank Jacob for his contributions to the Rangers and our community," Drury said. "Jacob has been an example on and off the ice for our organization and played a major role in our success over the last few years. Since coming to New York five years ago, and serving as Captain for the last three seasons, he has demonstrated grit, toughness, and tremendous leadership and we can’t thank Jacob enough for everything he has done for the Rangers."
Trouba is now the third consecutive captain New York has moved in an in-season trade.
He complied 31 goals, 105 assists, and was a one-time Rod Gilbert "Mr. Ranger" award winner during his six seasons with the Blueshirts.