Rangers' Trouba blocking out recent trade reports: 'Part of the business'
New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba is ignoring the noise that's accompanied Monday's report indicating he and teammate Chris Kreider are on the trade block.
"It doesn't really matter," he said with a chuckle after Tuesday's practice. "I'm happy to be here, focused on playing hockey. Can't really control that. I learned that throughout the summer - you got to kinda block all that out."
Trouba added, "I think it's part of the business. If it's real or not, I don't know. My job's to play hockey."
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news. Sources confirmed it to The Athletic's Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh, who added that Rangers general manager Chris Drury sent a league-wide message indicating he's open to a trade that mentioned Trouba and Kreider by name.
Trouba said he hasn't spoken to Drury.
The physically imposing defenseman has been with the Rangers since 2019-20 after being traded to New York by the Winnipeg Jets. Trouba paces the team in penalty minutes (324), blocks (829), and hits (931) in 360 games since his arrival.
The Blueshirts signed him to a seven-year, $56-million extension in July 2019. He has one more season remaining on the deal after this one.
Before last summer, Trouba was shielded by a full no-move clause, but that protection has since shifted to a 15-team no-trade list. New York reportedly asked for his list in late June, which added to speculation that he might be moved over the offseason.
Though he ultimately stayed put, Trouba was reportedly shocked to be at the center of trade speculation. The Detroit Red Wings were rumored to be interested in acquiring his services.
Trouba said before the 2024-25 season started that there was "no animosity" between him and the Rangers.
The 30-year-old has registered six assists, 31 hits, and a team-leading 61 blocks in 20 games while averaging 20:25 minutes of ice time per contest this season.
Trouba has struggled in his own end, though, posting a minus-2.6 defensive goals above replacement, per Evolving-Hockey. His most frequent partner this season has been Ryan Lindgren, and New York has controlled only 45.6% of the shot attempts and 48.1% of the expected goals at five-on-five while getting outscored 8-7 with them on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The Rangers are currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a 12-7-1 record and .625 points percentage. They've lost their last three games in regulation.
"I think we've hit a little bit of a skid," Trouba said. "Teams go through this - gotta dig our way out, work our way out. It's a little bit of adversity that's struck. We're still in a good spot."
The Rangers square off against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday.