The New York Rangers started off free agency by signing center Joe Veleno and trading for Boston Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo, the latter of which was a big surprise. But other than that, the Rangers have seen some of their former players sign quickly at the start of free agency at noon ET. Forward Mats Zuccarello and defenseman Erik Gustafsson signed one year contracts with the Los Angeles Kings.
But perhaps the biggest deal handed out among former Rangers is ex-captain Jacob Trouba. A free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Anahiem Ducks, Trouba agreed to terms with the San Jose Sharks on a four-year contract worth $8.25 million per season.
Sure, Trouba gets to join an exciting young Sharks team that narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season. But he also gets to reunite with former teammate Barclay Goodrow, who like Trouba, had an ugly exit from the Rangers. Well, ugly in the sense of how general manager Chris Drury went about getting rid of them.
Jacob Trouba 4 x $8.25M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2026
San Jose
2 former Rangers burned by Chris Drury are teammates again
If there is one thing that Rangers fans know, it's that Drury is ruthless when it comes to trying to move on from players. Both Goodrow and Trouba know that firsthand.
As Drury tried to free money off of the books, he first looked towards Goodrow, who was in the middle of a six-year, $21.85 million contract with the Rangers. In the summer of 2024, the Rangers put Goodrow on waivers as a way to get past his 15-team no-trade list, and he was immediately picked up by the Sharks. Goodrow was not pleased with how the Rangers went about his exit, and said that the team and Drury never informed him that they were planning to move on from him.
“It was just a big surprise,” Goodrow said, h/t the New York Post. “I was never given any inclination or whatever that I wouldn’t be back with the team and that happened. That was a while ago. I’ve tried to move past it. We’re here and excited to be with San Jose.”
Then there was Trouba. Drury and the Rangers let it be known that they wanted to trade him elsewhere. Since Trouba did hold a no-movement clause, he exercised his right, saying that he did so for his family. The following year, the no-trade clause was reduced to a 15-team no-movement clause back in July 2024. Trouba then alleged that Drury and the Rangers threatened him to either accept a trade or be placed on waivers. After talking it over with his wife, they decided on the Ducks.
"I was put in a situation [that] summer to make a decision between my career and my family," said Trouba, h/t ESPN. "I chose my family. I'd choose my family 100 times over again. I don't feel bad about that.
"I don't like that everything unfolded so publicly. I guess that's part of New York."
Again, two incredibly ugly exits for two players that were expected to play big roles on the Rangers. It's no secret that Drury runs things through a business perspective than as a "people person," which has given him a reputation.
Now, Trouba and Goodrow will get to play on a Sharks team that is built to be a playoff contender for the foreseeable future, especially with Macklin Celebrini on the ice.
Add us as a preferred source on Google