The New York Rangers requested Jacob Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list ahead of free agency, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are already linked to the blueliner.
Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported the Rangers’ request on June 27 after fellow insider Chris Johnston published his latest “Trade Big Board” on the same source on June 26.
“With his no-movement clause set to convert to a 15-team no-trade clause on July 1 and the Rangers believed to be looking at moving a defenseman, Trouba could be the odd man out,” Johnston wrote regarding Trouba’s availability, ranking him as the No. 14 best-available-for-trade player.
Then, on June 27, Staple and Peter Baugh named the Maple Leafs as one of the top trade options for Trouba in a possible transaction with the Rangers.
“Big, right-handed defenseman like Trouba always fascinate teams. The Maple Leafs will be tight on the salary cap, but they might be intrigued, especially if they can’t sign Chris Tanev. “They have a need on the right side,” they stated.
There is, of course, the question of whether Trouba would accept and unlock a trade to Toronto by leaving the Leasf off his no-trade list. Trouba is believed to be hesitant to relocate north of the border to play for a Canadian team.
“There’s also the question of whether Trouba would want to enter the Canadian market.” All seven Canadian teams might be on his no-trade list. “We’re pretty sure Winnipeg is on there,” Staple and Baugh wrote.
Why Is Jacob Trouba Available for Trading?
Trouba, the Rangers captain, had his fair share of ups and downs during the 2023-24 season. The blueliner recently scored 3 goals and 19 assists for 22 points in 69 regular-season games. He contributed one goal and six assists in 16 postseason games.
The Florida Panthers defeated the Rangers in the conference finals, 4-2, before capturing the Stanley Cup.
Trouba has two years remaining on his seven-year, $56 million contract. Trouba’s no-move clause will be expanded to include a 15-team no-trade list beginning July 1. Trouba will have the ability to veto any deal to a team on that list.
By dealing Trouba, the Rangers would be able to reduce his huge $8 million salary from their 2024-25 payroll. The Rangers acquired Trouba in June 2019, completing a trade with the Winnipeg Jets. In August 2022, New York named him captain.
Johnston described Trouba as having a solid game and a robust defensive presence. He saw it as a potential surplus asset for the Rangers in the future, which led to his inclusion.
“The right-shot defender has a strong, physical game and is known for punishing opponents with bodychecks.” “He is coming off a difficult playoff run, but he would be an upgrade for most teams,” Johnston said.
“In New York, where they also have Adam Fox and Braden Schneider on the right side, Trouba may be a luxury at his cap hit.”
Maple Leafs looking to improve their defence corps.
The Leafs-Trouba pairing makes sense given the recent reports on the type of player Toronto is looking for.
On June 19, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Leafs were “looking to add some size to their blueline this off-season.”
Pagnotta identified two specific players: Vancouver Canucks’ Nikita Zadorov and St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko. The former is set to join free agency on July 1, while the latter is only accessible through trade (if at all).
PuckPedia predicts that the Maple Leafs will enter the offseason with $19.7 million in cap space. However, Toronto only has four defensemen on contract. Only Timothy Liljegren will be a restricted free agent, while six others will be unrestricted.
Leave a Reply