Despite several offseason trade rumors, Jacob Trouba is content to remain with the New York Rangers and has no ill will toward the organization or its general manager, Chris Drury.
It was widely believed that Drury attempted to gain early access to Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list before July 1, wanting to transfer the Rangers captain and save up money ahead of NHL free agency. Trouba submitted the list shortly before the July 1 deadline, thereby eliminating any possibility the Rangers had of moving him and his $8 million salary cost charge for the next two seasons.
Now that it’s August, the Rangers’ roster appears set, with defenseman Ryan Lindgren agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract ahead of salary arbitration this week, and Trouba preparing for his sixth training camp with the Blueshirts in September.
“It was fine,” Trouba told The Athletic during a Q&A session on Thursday. “It’s part of the business. I was aware that a portion of my contract will change this year (to a no-trade list), so I filed a list. That is what I did. The rest of the noise was mostly noise.
“I’m pleased to be here. I’m excited to start the season. There’s a great chance ahead of us.”
Trouba had a no-movement clause for the first five seasons of his current seven-year contract, which was then altered to a list of 15 teams to which the 30-year-old could not be dealt. According to reports, he named his hometown Detroit Red Wings as one of the teams on his no-trade list to prevent a possible trade between them and the Rangers.
However, he claimed that there are no ill feelings between him and the Rangers.
“Yeah, they were great the whole time,” Trouba said. “Even going back years, ‘Dru’ and I have always had an excellent relationship. We can talk to each other whenever we wish. I believe he has a high level of faith in me, which I appreciate. We are excited to get started this year.”
According to USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano on July 1, Trouba was “not pleased with the way this has gone down.” It had become a personal concern for Trouba because he did not want to be transferred and forced to relocate because his wife Kelly Tyson-Trouba still had one year left to complete her medical residency in New York.
Now that the Troubas are still in New York, everything appears to be forgiven.
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