The Ottawa Senators are in a difficult position. They’re trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but haven’t been able to separate themselves from the pack in a below-average Eastern Conference. They’re currently 9-11-1 on the season, and sit four points out of a playoff spot.
Ottawa’s path to the postseason has only become more difficult after losing their top-pairing right defenseman, Artem Zub. Zub was injured on November 23rd in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, and it has since been reported that he has a fracture in his foot, and has been placed on long-term injured reserve. The Senators are reportedly “aggressive in their pursuit of another defenseman.”
One team that should look to take advantage of Ottawa’s desperation is the New York Rangers, who are apparently once again trying to trade their captain Jacob Trouba. Trouba would be very, very difficult to move. On top of his $8 million contract that lasts until the end of the 2025-26 season, he also has a 15 Team No Trade List. Trouba could waive this, of course, but after he blocked a potential trade this summer, that seems very unlikely.
Let’s pretend, for the sake of this article, that Ottawa isn’t listed on Trouba’s No Trade List. What could the Rangers expect to get in return for Trouba?
Honestly, probably not very much.
Yes, he’s a 6’3″ hard-hitting right shot defenseman. But he’s not the world’s greatest defensive defenseman, and his offensive production is no longer anything to write home about. And, again, he makes $8 million for another season after this one. New York would likely have to retain some salary, as well as taking on one of Ottawa’s bad contracts– say, David Perron, or maybe Nick Jensen– for this to work within the salary cap.
So, should the New York Rangers try to trade Jacob Trouba and his $8 million contract? In short… probably not. It won’t be easy, and there are only three teams– the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Calgary Flames, and the Anaheim Ducks– who would be able to take on his contract without salary retention or some form of bad contract going back the other way. It might be worth it, but it also might not be.
Sometimes, the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.
