Ducks' GM Pat Verbeek Speaks on Jacob Trouba Trade
On Friday, the Anaheim Ducks traded for defenseman Jacob Trouba, captain of the New York Rangers, in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen.
Ducks Acquire Jacob Trouba From Rangers
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek met with local media ahead of the Ducks' matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
Jacob Trouba on His Trade to Anaheim
Here's what Verbeek had to say:
Some questions were reworded for clarity
How did this trade come together?
“Rather quickly. We, as managers, we’re always talking to teams and kind of see what’s going on, but this came together rather quickly. I’ve been searching for a right-hand shot (defenseman) to help with our right side. We have a lot of left shots, and it’s kind of been difficult at times for them.
“When a player this caliber becomes available, I wanted to help our team, and I think he improves our team. He gives us a lot of depth on defense now. He’s a really good penalty killer. I think he’s got some underrated offensive skills that probably hasn’t shown in the last year or so. Overall, it gives our team a lot more rigid, physical play.
“I’m trying to make this team better. That is part of how I want us to play. I want us to be really tough to play against, and he certainly adds that element to our group.”
What do you hope Trouba can bring in terms of leadership, especially for the young players?
“You don’t just become the captain of the New York Rangers and not have excellent qualifications on and off the ice. I spoke to Radko (Gudas) this morning, and he was excited. I think hes going to be able to add another layer of leadership to our entire group and with a different voice.
“I think it’s important. Speaking with Radko, I think our group is really excited about bringing Jacob in.”
How do you feel Trouba's game meshes with what you and the coaching staff are trying to accomplish on the ice?
“He plays a more stay-at-home style, and I think with our left side, we have a lot of offensive defensemen, and I think they’re going to compliment each other really well.
“We haven’t really decided who he’s going to play with yet, That’s a work in progress to see the chemistry. I feel very confident that whoever we put with him is going to be very good.”
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Were you interested in acquiring him when his name popped up in trade talks over the summer?
“No, no, no. There was none of that. That would be more internal from his perspective. We always inquire. Some of the stuff that I read, publically, his wife, she’s a doctor, and she’s doing a residency, so I never pursued it any further until it kind of popped up yesterday,”
Was this a way to ensure he wouldn’t go through the waiver process and that he’d land in Anaheim?
“Well, I’m excited to have him. I don’t know all the circumstances. Certainly, we’re excited. I went through the process of how we normally do it, and we’re excited to have him,”
How do you see the state of the D core after this trade?
“I think it’s important to get a right-hand shot. You can be flush with defensemen one night, and then the next night, you’re not. It’s just something that’s part of the business, but we’re going to manage it in a development manner with every single one of our young guys.
“It’s going to provide some more competition within our group, which is healthy. That’s how you get better.”
How does this impact someone like Drew Helleson?
“I feel really comfortable with a really solid D-corps now. It’s at a point where it’s going to get competitive, and we’re going to develop and have these guys play hard and compete to be in the lineup every night, which, like I said, is a good thing."
How do you see the state of the team at this point in the season?
"There’s been a couple of games we’ve let slip away. Some of that stuff is youth, some of it is still finding that consistency on a nightly basis to do the things that our coaches are asking them to do. We’re still working through that process, but we’re getting a lot better.
"We’ve improved a ton, and we still have a long way to go, but we’re going in a really good direction, and I’m happy with that direction. I’m really happy with how things are going.”
Any updates on Zegras and Carlsson?
“With Trevor Zegras, we’re still evaluating him, going through that process with our doctors. I’ll know more in the coming days here what’s going on with Trevor, so we’ll have to see what happens there.”
“Leo is progressing. We’re hoping he’ll be in the lineup soon, hopefully on this road trip. You never know with his situation.”
