Anaheim Ducks Acquire Jacob Trouba From New York Rangers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New York Rangers made noise last week when it was announced that general manager Chris Drury was looking to trade captain Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. Now, the Rangers, after holding Trouba out for "roster management" reasons, has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks instead.
Trouba was reportedly going to be placed on waivers on Friday by 2 p.m., but the deadline passed, and he was not placed on waivers. That’s because things got serious very quickly between the Ducks and the Rangers a few hours prior.
The two teams finalized a trade that had effectively been in the works since this past summer, sending Jacob Trouba to Anaheim for Urho Vaakanaian and a 2025 fourth-round pick. But as RG has learned, this was not the first time these two teams discussed Trouba.
"The Rangers and Ducks re-engaged in trade talks from the summer," the source told RG. "No deal was finalized prior to Friday, as he [Trouba] used his leverage to block the deal."
The Ducks were reportedly interested in acquiring Trouba this summer, as GM Pat Verbeek had publicly admitted to seeking a right-shot defenseman for his roster. Unfortunately, at the time, Trouba didn’t want to list his no-trade clause to make the deal happen.
But, with the threat of waivers looming from GM Chris Drury, he was given an ultimatum: Have a choice in where he plays next, or get placed on waivers and land anywhere.
That was what moved the needle for the Rangers.
Other teams were involved, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, and, as a league source confirmed, Trouba was not willing to waive his no-trade clause to go there.
Circle Back with The Ducks
Information from sources close to the subject indicates that a deal involving Trouba to the Ducks would have seen Frank Vatrano return in return. The Rangers have identified Vatrano as a player who could bring that much-needed spark to their lineup, ahead of players like Riley Smith and youngster Brett Berard.
However, given the timing of the move, the Ducks preferred to move on from Trouba’s $8M cap hit immediately and circle back on Vatrano later.
The two teams were confirmed to have discussed Vatrano again during this latest set of talks, and expectations are the two teams will circle back on the former Ranger later in the season.
Last year at the trade deadline, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek was in New York and spoke to Chris Drury about acquiring Frank Vatrano, but the Rangers GM did not want to part with Kaapo Kakko. That tune has changed.
"Would not be shocked if he [Vatrano] is with the New York Rangers by year-end," the source told RG.
Last year at the trade deadline, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek was in New York and spoke to Chris Drury about acquiring Frank Vatrano, but the Rangers GM did not want to part with Kaapo Kakko. That tune has changed.
"There is a willingness now to trade Kaapo Kakko, the 2nd overall pick from 2019, unlike previous seasons.”
The Rangers have been looking for a right winger to slide with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad since Vatrano left to go to Anaheim via free agency.
Jim Biringer
