What to expect from Jacob Trouba this upcoming season.

Jake The Rake is slipping.

Yeah, Trouba is captain but he's now in the third and last defense pair with – pity him – Braden Schneider.

It does not, of course, mean that the captain is either washed-up or washed out. But he'd better watch out for Victor Mancini's shadow.

No, we don't want Trouba dumped altogether, do we? No, we don't.

What we want is a wonderful, final season for the captain. Let's face it, if this is going to be his last season in Manhattan, let it at least be a fond – not failed – farewell.

Starting with the season opener, Jake The Rake has to be an asset who'll give the fans his best. Anything less will be answered by about 18,000 jurors in their Garden pews.

Just a year ago Trouba was penciled in as the team's second defenseman – after Adam Fox. Since then – and despite being surrounded by a Presidents' Trophy lineup – Jacob's game went from reliable to detriment for whoever happened to be his defense partner.

Now it figures to be Braden Schneider who, ironically, started last season as the club's sixth ranked defender.

Well, if Trouba is six, that makes Schneider five, and then – surprise, surprise – Zac Jones, Ryan Lindgren, K'Andre Miller and Adam Fox.

Think about it, Jake, that's better than being a Red Wing!