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 the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Defenceman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round draft pick will go back to the Rangers in return.
“I want to sincerely thank Jacob for his contributions to the Rangers and our community,” Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. “Jacob has been an example on and off the ice for our organization and played a major role in our success over the last several 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.”
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. The Ducks will absorb Trouba's entire salary in the trade.
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.
“Jacob is a highly respected player in this league whose character and leadership qualities on and off the ice are second to none,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. “We believe Jacob has many more years in this league and hope he is a big part of our future success. It’s rare you are able to acquire a player with Jacob’s experience, stature and ability. On the ice he competes every shift, leads by example and is a presence on the blue line every night.”
Vaakanainen, 25, has appeared in five games for the Ducks this season, recording one assist. He was a first-round pick by the Bruins in 2017 and has skated in 141 NHL games with the Bruins and Ducks since making his debut in 2018-19.
The Ducks own two fourth-round picks in 2025, their own and the pick belonging to the Detroit Red Wings. The Rangers will receive whichever pick falls later in the draft.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.