Will There Be No Jacob Trouba Trade This Summer After All?

New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba remains on the team despite trade speculation at the end of June. What's the latest discussion?

The New York Rangers' attempt to trade captain Jacob Trouba to the Detroit Red Wings dominated the rumor mill in the lead-up to the July 1 start of free agency. However, that deal appears to have been derailed by family matters and the no-movement clause in his contract until July 1, when it became a 15-team no-trade list. 

On July 10, The Hockey News' Remy Mastey suggested the longer the Rangers held off trading Trouba, the more likely the 30-year-old defenseman will remain in New York this season. 

Rangers GM Chris Drury wanted to trade Trouba to clear his $8-million cap hit from their books and put the savings toward signing one or two UFAs. Mastey noted that's no longer necessary with the notable free agents now off the market. Trading Drury now would leave a big hole on their roster that could prove difficult to fill.

Mastey cited ESPN's Emily Kaplan saying her gut feeling is Trouba will be in the Rangers' lineup when the season begins in October. Meanwhile, Lohud.com's Vincent Z. Mercogliano thinks they can afford to keep Trouba this season, adding it would be easier to move him next summer as he now has a modified no-trade list. 

Kaplan noted the awkwardness of this situation for Drury and Trouba and the damage it may have done to their relationship. The Rangers GM cannot let this fester over the remainder of the summer. He must address this issue now rather than risk it hovering over the team like a dark cloud when they return for training camp in September. 

Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon still wondered if Drury would keep trying to trade Trouba. The blueliner's cap hit remains an impediment toward signing Alexis Lafreniere when he becomes an RFA next summer and goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who is eligible for UFA status at the same time. 

Trouba's cap hit is now more of a trade obstacle than his 15-team no-trade list. Most teams that aren't on his list do not need to add him to their blueline or have used up most of their cap space with other off-season additions.

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