Jacob Trouba will not play for the New York Rangers on Friday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Reportedly this is because of “roster management” reasons. Those are typically code words for an impending trade or perhaps Trouba could be placed on waivers.
The Rangers recalled rookie defenseman Victor Mancini from Hartford of the American Hockey League, presumably to replace Trouba in the lineup. Chad Ruhwedel is also an option as the extra defenseman on the roster.
The news comes with trade rumors swirling around the Rangers. General manager Chris Drury sent a memo to the other 31 NHL GMs nearly two weeks ago expressing his interest in making a deal, reportedly mentioning Trouba and Chris Kreider by name.
Since then the Rangers have lost four of five games, and are in a 1-6-0 freefall right now after a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday.
“We’re not playing well right now. When you’re not having the success you want on the ice, there has to be a direction that moves differently. So this is the decision I made,” coach Peter Laviolette said after the morning skate.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported Friday that Trouba and Drury had several meetings this week, including this morning. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that the Rangers have several possible trades for Trouba “on the table” but each needs him to waive his 15-team no-trade clause.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added that one of the interested teams is the Columbus Blue Jackets. He also reported that the Rangers would place Trouba on waivers if he uses his no-trade clause.
It’s clear Drury is not messing around. He tried to shed Trouba’s $8 million AAV through the 2025-26 season by trading the defenseman last summer. However, Trouba reportedly blocked a deal so that his family could remain in New York, where his wife is completing her medical residency.
“That’s a decision between the team and him, from what I’m understanding. As a player, as a teammate, as a friend and human being, we love him to death,” Mika Zibanejad told reporters after the morning skate/
Rangers could trade, waive Jacob Trouba on Friday
Drury sidestepped Barclay Goodrow’s no-trade clause this past offseason when he placed the veteran forward on waivers, knowing that the San Jose Sharks would claim him, which they did. It caused hard feelings, but the move also provided some salary cap relief for the Rangers. A similar move with Trouba would also cause ill will in the locker room, but provide even more financial flexibility than the Goodrow move did.
Trouba is averaging 20:00 TOI this season, bouncing from partner to partner on defense, and playing a big role, as usual, on the penalty kill. He has six assists and is without a goal in 24 games. The Rangers have been outscored 23-17 with Trouba on the ice 5v5 and their xGF is 47.45 percent with him out there, per Natural Stat Trick.
Trouba’s played 364 regular-season games with the Rangers since he was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in a trade before the 2019-20 season. He has 136 points (31 goals, 105 assists) with New York, along with 329 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus-16.
He also helped lead the Rangers two the Eastern Conference Final in two of the past three seasons, and has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) and is minus-3 in 46 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Rangers.
Last season, Trouba was the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which is presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.”
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