Sabres Reportedly Linked to Rangers Captain

The Sabres are reportedly one of the clubs expressing interest in this Rangers defender.

New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba is one of the top names in the rumor mill right now. There were several reports that the Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings had discussed a Trouba trade this offseason, but it did not come to fruition. 

While Trouba is the Rangers' captain, it is understandable that the Blueshirts are looking to move him. His role on their depth chart has dropped, which does not mesh well with his $8 million cap hit until the end of 2025-26. 

With Trouba being a hard-nosed defenseman who is a good leader and has plenty of experience, he is generating interest. According to The Fourth Period's latest Summer Trade Watch list, the Buffalo Sabres are one of the clubs reportedly linked to Trouba. The three other teams listed are the Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators. 

It is certainly interesting to hear that the Sabres are one of the clubs who have reportedly checked in on Trouba. Their most significant need right now is a top-six winger, but it appears that they are also open to boosting their blueline.

The Sabres currently have an incredibly young blueline, so adding a veteran like Trouba to help mentor their defensemen could be worthwhile. If acquired, he would give them another option for their right side and penalty kill.

However, at the same time, the Sabres' defensive group looks set on paper. A trade for Trouba would force Henri Jokiharju or Connor Clifton out of the lineup unless one of them was moved the other way. Thus, Trouba may not be the most significant need for the Sabres at this juncture, even if he would give their blueline an impactful veteran who plays a heavy game. 

Trouba also has a 15-team no-trade list, so he has a significant say over whether and where he will get dealt. Let's see if the Sabres' reported interest in Trouba leads to them landing him from here.