When a 22-year-old defensive stud becomes available on the trade market, you need to make your move. The New York Rangers have a phone call to make…
The Winnipeg Jets find themselves in a very difficult situation. Announced via a statement to multiple media outlets, Kurt Overhardt, the agent for restricted free agent defenseman Jacob Trouba stated that his player wants out.
“Our client, Jacob Trouba, will not be attending the Winnipeg Jets NHL training camp. Since May, we have been working with the Jets management in an effort to facilitate a trade of Jacob’s rights. Both parties continue to work on this matter.
There has been no negotiation regarding the terms of a contract between our client and the Jets over the course of the last several months. The situation is not about money; it is solely about our client having the opportunity to realize his potential as a right shot NHL defenseman.
To the Jets credit, the club has two outstanding right shot veteran defensemen and our client simply wants the opportunity to have a greater role. As a consequence of the Jets depth on the right side, we believe it is in both parties’ best interest to facilitate a mutually advantageous trade.
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Our client has nothing but respect for the people and City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Jets, its fans, management and ownership – our desire to get him moved has everything to do with opportunity. We will continue to work with the Jets in good faith to achieve this end.”
In 211 games at the NHL level, Trouba has notched 72 points. The right-handed Trouba has so much untapped offensive potential. It is scary to think of what this kid is capable of doing in the future.
Trouba had a 56.71 CF60 rating, which takes into account the Jets shot attempts with him on the ice compared to the opposing team’s shots while he is on this ice over a 60-minute span. That 56.71 rating is very, very good.
While the Rochester, Michigan native hasn’t come into his own defensively yet, he is still an above average defender.
With all of this in mind, he is the perfect potential add to the New York Rangers depth chart.
Where does he slot in?
Trouba would instantly play the right side to Ryan McDonagh‘s left on the New York Rangers’ top defensive pair. Trouba played on the left side in Winnipeg although he prefers the right side.
The 22-year-old has said how he wants more of a challenge defensively this year. The trade request was made due to the fact that Trouba won’t be given top minutes on the right-side in Manitoba because of Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers. If the New York Rangers trade for the youngster, he will have absolutely no competition in route to playing on the team’s top unit.
After the loss of Keith Yandle to the Florida Panthers this offseason, the Rangers don’t have an offensive-minded defender. If people expect Brady Skjei to be the guy to fill that offensive void, they are fools. Skeji, to me, is Ryan McDonagh without much offensive ability. Anyway, Trouba would instantly find himself on the Rangers top powerplay unit as well.
Could Trouba handle all of this added pressure? Probably, yes.
Trouba was third on the Jets in average ice time per game, with 22:04 being his average. The only players with more average ice time per game were the aforementioned Byfuglien and Myers.
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The Rangers did a great job this offseason in acquiring a ton of offensive depth to make them formidable. The defense, however, has taken a turn for the worse with the loss of Keith Yandle. If the team uses some of that created depth to get a future perennial all-star player like Trouba, this team is looking at a real chance to win the cup this year.