The New York Rangers may not have wanted Jacob Trouba any more. But the Anaheim Ducks are plenty happy to have the 30-year-old defenseman after a trade with the Rangers on Friday.
And who would know better about everything Trouba adds to the struggling Ducks than Ryan Strome? Trouba’s former teammate in New York told reporters that the ex-Rangers captain will bring a number of benefits to Anaheim, which is 10-12-3 and last in the Pacific Division.
“I know from talking to him; we are going to have a really highly motivated individual with a little bit of a weight off his shoulders that is excited to play and wanted to play in Anaheim,” Strome said. “So, I think those are all positives and things that can jumpstart our group going forward, and I think we are all excited to have him.”
Trouba joins a young team in Anaheim, one that’s failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six consecutive seasons. It’s not all that dissimilar to when he joined the Rangers during their rebuild. His leadership and experience will be invaluable to the Ducks.
“I think anytime you bring a guy in that’s played in the Canadian market (with the Winnipeg Jets), an Original Six market (with the Rangers) and a captain (who’s) been in a lot of playoff series and really good teams, I think it helps,” Strome said. “Not only that too, I think a big body, just to lean on some guys and be hard to play against.”
Trouba certainly brings a physical edge to his game. That will fit nicely with Ducks defenseman and captain Radko Gudas, who plays a similar style.
“Jacob Trouba represents that, the physicality, the identity that you have to play with,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said, according to Reuters. “He’s a guy that can step up on the forecheck and stop plays and kill plays in the defensive zone. He’s got a heck of a shot and having another right shot back there will help us keep pucks alive in the cycle.”
Jacob Trouba excited with change of scenery
Trouba was traded to the Ducks for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a forth-round draft pick. The Rangers were able to rid themselves of the veteran’s $8 million salary cap hit, only taking back $1.1 million annually with Vaakanainen.
In 364 games with the Rangers, Trouba scored 31 goals and had 105 assists as an important piece n New York’s defense corps. He was in his third season as captain.
Getting set for his debut with the Ducks on Monday night against the Montreal Canadiens, Trouba discussed his new team with reporters.
“It was good, nice to get out there with everyone. Got to meet everyone, get to know everyone, get familiar. So excited to be here,” Trouba said Sunday after his first practice with the Ducks. “Everybody’s been really welcoming, obviously some familiar faces. So, it’s been good to kind of jump right in to dinner last night and talk a little bit and get to know everyone.”
Trouba helped the Rangers make the playoffs four times throughout his five-year stint, reaching the Eastern Conference Final twice before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 and eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in 2024.
He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award for his leadership qualities and charitable activities throughout the 2023-24 season. Trouba helped the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy as the regular-season champion last season despite a dip in his overall play.
