The New York Rangers have traded their captain, and for the first time in more than a decade, they haven't traded their captain to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Instead, they have sent Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round draft pick. New York moves all $8 million of Trouba's deal out the door and does not have to retain anything. This is a masterclass from Drury, who had to complete this deal.
Jacob Trouba played in 364 games as a New York Ranger, scoring 31 goals and 105 assists for 136 points. That was not what Trouba was here for. Trouba collected 329 penalty minutes as he tried to live up to a more physical role on the backend when it became clear he wasn't living up to his contract. Trouba tried to do anything he could to help the team, but he made too much money for the Rangers to keep him around, so he's gone to Anaheim.
Urho Vaakanainen was a first-round draft pick of the Boston Bruins back in 2017, and the Joensuu, Finland native, was traded to Anaheim in the deal that sent Hampus Lindholm to Beantown. Still just 25 years of age, the Rangers continue to get younger, and they'll hope Vaakanainen can be a part of the blue line. The Finnish defenseman carries a one-year deal worth $1.1 million against the cap and has one goal and 24 assists in his 141-game NHL career. At 6'2, 200 lbs, he's not tiny, but he's not Trouba.
The fourth-round draft pick is in 2024, but that is irrelevant here. While it would have been great to get more back for Trouba, considering the price the organization paid to get him from the Winnipeg Jets many years ago, getting out from under that contract and freeing up $7 million in cap space is a significant success from Chris Drury. Now, he has room to make additions to the roster where he sees fit.