Could Jacob Trouba Help the Red Wings? This afternoon, the New York Rangers traded defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks. Trouba had been linked to Detroit in trade rumors [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/as-trade-winds-swirl-anew-could-jacob-trouba-make-sense-for-red-wings]since last June's draft, but in an interview with ESPN this evening, the University of Michigan–trained defenseman cast doubt on the Red Wings' reported interest. Oct 14, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond (23) and New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) swat at the puck in front of New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period at Madison Square Garden [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExMjE4NTk5MzQ2NDQ4MDYx/usatsi_24492069.jpg] Oct 14, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond (23) and New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) swat at the puck in front of New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period at Madison Square Garden In an interview that aired during this evening's ESPN+ broadcast of the Rangers game with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Trouba said, "Obviously I've thought about that. I think somebody should maybe verify with the Red Wings if they were interested. Has anybody taken that route?" With that rhetorical question, Trouba implies he didn't have the chance to exercise his highly publicized 15-team no trade list to rule out Detroit, because the Red Wings never offered a (satisfactory) deal. The rumors linking Trouba to the Red Wings came almost exclusively from New York Post reporter Larry Brooks. Earlier today, Brooks published a report that the Rangers were working on a blockbuster trade to acquire Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Within hours of that report, Bruce Garrioch reported in the Ottawa Sun [https://ottawacitizen.com/ottawa-senators/ottawa-senators-determined-to-win-with-brady-tkachuk-not-trade-him] that a "well-placed source" in the Senators organization described Brooks' report as "total bull—" When you put Trouba's question beside Garrioch's report, there is corroborating evidence to suggest Brooks' reporting may more accurately reflect the desired outcomes of New York general manager Chris Drury than any actually ongoing negotiations. One thing that is clear about the now resolved Trouba saga is that it was handled messily. The now-former Ranger captain told reporters [https://x.com/MollieeWalkerr/status/1865181413567533382] this afternoon, "I'll be honest, I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family and I chose my family. I would choose my family 100 times over again. I don't feel bad about that. I was happy about it. I don't like that it was made public necessarily or how everything unfolded so publicly, but I guess that's part of New York and what happens. It made it difficult to play kind of what that hanging over everything. The result is the result. I'm happy with moving forward, but I'm not overly thrilled with how it went down. In my opinion, things could've been handled better. I'm not blaming anybody or anything, just kind of how it happened I thought was kind of unfortunate." Trouba also said, "Yeah, it was a threat," when asked by ESPN's Greg Wyshynski [https://x.com/wyshynski/status/1865171882565075200]whether the Rangers expressed an intent to place him on waivers should he not waive his no trade clause. It's a heartless move from Drury, which will be forgiven by all in New York should in deliver their mutually desired outcome (a second Stanley Cup since World War II), but today, it's hard not to feel for Trouba, who has not spent about six months being dragged through the mud publicly by an organization to which he had given so much. Fortunately for all involved, the saga is now completed. ALSO FROM THN DETROIT As Trade Winds Swirl Anew, Could Jacob Trouba Make Sense for Red Wings? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/as-trade-winds-swirl-anew-could-jacob-trouba-make-sense-for-red-wings] Josh Norris Goal Sinks Red Wings in Ottawa [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/game-day/josh-norris-goal-sinks-red-wings-in-ottawa] Red Wings' Patrick Kane Is Good To Go [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-patrick-kane-is-good-to-go] Red Wings 4 Nations Roster Reaction [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-4-nations-roster-reaction] Former Red Wings Forward Continues Big Decline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/former-red-wings-forward-continues-big-decline] Larkin Earns Team USA 4 Nations Roster Spot [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/larkin-earns-team-usa-4-nations-roster-spot]
