ANAHEIM, CA (AP) — According to a person with knowledge of the decision, the Anaheim Ducks have acquired Jacob Trouba, the captain of the New York Rangers, in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a potential fourth-round selection.
Due to the fact that the teams were still finalizing the contract, the individual talked to the AP on condition of anonymity on Friday.
Trouba’s five-year contract with the Rangers, who have lost seven straight games, comes to an end with the trade. The 30-year-old defenseman became New York’s captain prior to the 2022–2023 season after joining the Rangers in a 2019 trade with Winnipeg.
At the peak of his abilities, Trouba was regarded as one of the NHL’s top checking defensemen. Despite struggling to produce at the level of his finest seasons, which included a career-high 50 points with Winnipeg in 2018–19, he has six assists in 23 games this season.
Although Trouba has a strong no-trade clause, he has been the subject of trade speculation since the summer when New York made little effort to conceal its desire for a roster overhaul. His large contract has been a barrier to mobility, and he is currently in the sixth season of a seven-year, $56 million deal.
With one of the NHL’s lowest payrolls and plenty of salary cap room following general manager Pat Verbeek’s failure to sign any top free agents last summer, the Ducks can handle Trouba’s contract for the remaining 1 1/2 years.
Due to an upper-body ailment, Vaakanainen hasn’t played for Anaheim since November 13. Last season, the veteran played 68 games for the Ducks and scored one goal.
Trouba will start contributing significantly on the blue line right away for the Ducks, who are currently last in the Pacific Division.
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