After trading Jacob Trouba, the New York Rangers are left without a captain. This isn’t the first time the Blueshirts have done this. In recent years, both captains, Ryan McDonagh, and Ryan Callahan were traded away. Trouba, who spent six years with the Rangers, joins the list after being shipped away to the Anaheim Ducks.
Trade Details
New York receives: Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick
Anaheim receives: Jacob Trouba
Despite losing their captain, head coach Peter Laviolette doesn’t plan to promote anyone to the vacant position.
“We’ve got a leadership group that we’ve been dealing with the whole time. Right now, we’re moving forward with that.”
The Rangers still have strong leaders in the locker room and on the ice. Their four alternates, Adam Fox, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, and Mika Zibanejad have played for a combined 43 seasons in the NHL, so the experience is there. New York is also used to not having a captain. After trading McDonagh in 2018, the Blueshirts went four straight seasons without a commander before assigning Trouba to the role in 2022.
Even though Laviolette said they won’t be appointing anyone to the captainship, who could the team go with in the future? Krieder? Panarin? Fox?
Vincent Trocheck
If I had any say in the matter, Vincent Trocheck would be the Rangers' 29th captain. He has all of the characteristics you want– skill, leadership, grit, and heart. He is in his third season with the Rangers and has already cemented himself as one of the team’s best players. He was a huge reason for New York’s deep playoff run last year after posting eight goals and 12 assists in 16 games. Trocheck is off to another solid start this season with eight goals and 10 assists in 31 games.
With the Rangers struggling in the early parts of the season, leadership is key. The player or players who step up during a time of poor play on top of losing your captain will be important down the road for this team.