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New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba was the subject of significant trade speculation in late June.
The Rangers reportedly tried to trade their 30-year-old captain to free up his $8 million cap hit to pursue UFA talent when the free agent market opened on July 1.
Several factors, including Trouba’s no-movement clause until July 1, scuttled these efforts. He and Rangers GM Chris Drury insisted there was no bad blood between them as they turned their focus this season to pursuing the Stanley Cup.
However, Trouba’s NMC reverted to a 15-team no-trade clause for this season and a 12-team no-trade clause effective July 1 for the final season of his contract. That has prompted some observers to suggest Drury will acquire the veteran blueliner next summer.
On Friday, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple speculated that Trouba would be traded after this season to free up cap space to re-sign several players. Their free agents include goaltenders Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, defensemen K’Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren, and forwards Reilly Smith, Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle.
Drury can’t afford them all, but eliminating Trouba’s $8 million for 2025-26 could help keep Shesterkin, Miller and perhaps Kakko. Staple believes the blueliner can be moved without the Rangers keeping their salary or adding assets like draft picks to the deal.
Staple also pondered the possibility of a wildcard move, such as peddling Miller. Trouba, however, remains the most likely to go.
Meanwhile, Staples colleague Jeremy Rutherford was asked if Brandon Saad, Jordan Binnington and Nick Leddy would be the most likely St. Louis Blues to be moved if the club is not a playoff contender by the March 7 trade deadline.
Rutherford sees Saad as the most likely candidate. The 32-year-old left winger has an average annual value of $4.5 million through 2025-2026. He has consistently scored more than 20 goals and has two Stanley Cup rings to his name.
Saad has a complete no-trade clause in place this season. However, he could part with it for the right club if the Blues were to sign him at the deadline.
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