Jacob Trouba Could be on the Move Once Again, According to Insider Luke Fox
Photo credit: ESPN
Newly acquired Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba is already back in trade rumors thanks to the latest update from Luke Fox.
Jacob Trouba's world got flipped upside down on Friday. The former Rangers captain was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in what was effectively a cap dump move for New York.
The move came after months of speculation and a terrible start to the season for the Rangers.
Must read on Hockey Trade Rumours
The team currently sits in 4th place in the Metro Division with a 14-11-1 record, far below expectations coming into the season.
As such, Trouba just happened to be the move intended to spark some life into the team.
Unfortunately for him though, this season could be a very long one.
According to Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox, Trouba could be on the move again, possibly back to the east coast, by the time the trade deadline comes around.
"Could Ducks GM Pat Verbeek eat some of Trouba's salary and flip him to a contender? Perhaps send him back to the East, closer to his wife's hospital residency, for the final year-and-a-half of the defenceman's contract?" - Luke Fox of Sportsnet
This would make sense from the Ducks' perspective as they currently sit last in the Pacific Division on points.
After a bit of a not stretch early in the season, it appears that they once again will be among the worst teams in the league, and will be selling at the deadline.
The Hockey news reporter Adam Proteau echoed Fox's words saying that Trouba ought to not 'get all that comfortable in Anaheim,' as he could be traded again shortly.
He added that if he doesn't get moved by the trade deadline, he could be moved in the offseason as he still has another year left on his contract after this one.
"We believe Trouba shouldn't get all that comfortable in Anaheim, because another trade may be in Trouba's future - either by or before this season's March 7 trade deadline, or in the off-season." - Adam Proteau of The Hockey News
Of course, Trouba would probably prefer to play for a contender as well and not a basement team like Anaheim, so a trade would be mutually beneficial for both sides. Proteau made sure to point this out as well.
"A Stanley Cup contender will be a more desirable home for Trouba than Anaheim is going to be, both for the rest of this season and next... It clearly feels like Trouba is a transitory asset in Anaheim."
Regardless of what happens, it seems like Trouba's future in the NHL is very uncertain.
He can still play for sure, but 8 million dollars for a bottom-pair defenseman is a tough pill to swallow for most teams, especially contenders.
Anaheim might be able to get a decent asset back if they retain salary in a trade, which very well may be why they picked him up in the first place, but we will just have to wait and see what they do.
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