Confirmed Trade: [ANA/NYR] Jacob Trouba for Urho Vaakanainen and 2025 4th round pick

[periferal]

1. Why do teams keep bailing the rangers out of bad contracts?
2. It's so amazing, and keeps happening from multiple GMs, that you have to wonder if the league office get insolved.
3. Why would the Ducks do this? A million ways to get to the cap floor next year without giving up any assets for a player that doesn't help your rebuild at all.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Hockey players get traded. They have enough money.

Yeah and if he really wanted full control of his destiny he could have taken less salary and got a full NMC. Lots of players have done exactly that. He didn't. He chose the money. Don't want hear anymore about his family at this point.

 

[DavidBL]

The obvious answer to this entire thread of complaints is that some GMs, including Verbeek, think Trouba is still a legit talent and he provides something that other teams need, which has value. If you think his ankle and the the very obvious room distraction the situation over the summer caused affected his play then you're not looking at his stats the same way that most of these hockey fans who won't see past their own opinions do. Either he'll rebound and provide nice value to the Ducks or he won't and it's a mark against Verbeek. The only way we get NYR to PAY to trade him is if no one wants him which clearly wasn't the case no matter what your own opinions of the player are.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

This is gonna shock the hell out of people but no, a trade doesn't end up being bad for an NHL team because the value the team gave up wasn't in line with what a Devils fan on the internet thinks it shouldn't have been

If we can’t trust the opinion of a random Devil fan, what can we trust?

 

[Ezpz]

1. Why do teams keep bailing the rangers out of bad contracts?
2. It's so amazing, and keeps happening from multiple GMs, that you have to wonder if the league office get insolved.
3. Why would the Ducks do this? A million ways to get to the cap floor next year without giving up any assets for a player that doesn't help your rebuild at all.

To be honest Trouba is still a good vet and the cap has jumped such a ridiculous amount in the past few years that low spending teams could eat any contract in the league and still have space.

Also contrary to hf beliefs most top tier free agents pick their spot way before free agency and GMs know how likely their market is to get one. Gms have to sell to fans they were in the mix but most situations are John Tavares. Anaheim knows they're not getting one and have a ton of expiring contracts from mid vets.

They'll flip Trouba at the deadline next year for a haul. He's the premium second pairing version of the scrub bottom pairing physical presences like David savard or Ben chiarot that return a first round pick every year.

Like Anaheim aren't even at the cap floor next season after adding this much. They could still sign Marner and rantanen and be fine but they're getting neither.

None of their prospects are doing well enough to get mega raises. McTavish is probably the most important of the bunch but probably will either bridge or long term around 7 because he hasn't stepped forward enough. Carlsson is next summer and Troubas a free agent then.

It's basically zero risk for a guy they're going to flip for a first at minimum and will help build a good culture. As much as both his moves have been messy breakups, everywhere Trouba has been has had sustained success with him as a key piece. It's obvious team mates like him even though maybe he causes drama for GMs or coaches by standing up for players.

I would have taken him on the Habs too still we need a good stopgap RD who isn't bottom pairing. Probably should have kept kovacevic but who knew injury would happen to Reinbacher.

 

[FiveTacos]

Why would the Ducks do this? A million ways to get to the cap floor next year without giving up any assets for a player that doesn't help your rebuild at all.

Not many cap dumps help a rebuild. It's either an overpaid guy with term, or a high AAV guy with less term that a team just needs to unload for immediate flexibility.

The former probably nets you something of significance, because few teams want to take on a player that could become an anchor down the road. The latter won't hurt much but also isn't likely to get you a sweetener if the guy can play at all, since many other rebuilding teams could easily take that on too with little issue.

Plus this frees the Ducks to deal both Dumoulin and Fowler without leaving only one veteran D on the team for this year and next. Both are likely to be desirable TDL targets.

 

[LOFIN]

To be honest Trouba is still a good vet and the cap has jumped such a ridiculous amount in the past few years that low spending teams could eat any contract in the league and still have space.

Also contrary to hf beliefs most top tier free agents pick their spot way before free agency and GMs know how likely their market is to get one. Gms have to sell to fans they were in the mix but most situations are John Tavares. Anaheim knows they're not getting one and have a ton of expiring contracts from mid vets.

They'll flip Trouba at the deadline next year for a haul. He's the premium second pairing version of the scrub bottom pairing physical presences like David savard or Ben chiarot that return a first round pick every year.

Like Anaheim aren't even at the cap floor next season after adding this much. They could still sign Marner and rantanen and be fine but they're getting neither.

None of their prospects are doing well enough to get mega raises. McTavish is probably the most important of the bunch but probably will either bridge or long term around 7 because he hasn't stepped forward enough. Carlsson is next summer and Troubas a free agent then.

It's basically zero risk for a guy they're going to flip for a first at minimum and will help build a good culture. As much as both his moves have been messy breakups, everywhere Trouba has been has had sustained success with him as a key piece. It's obvious team mates like him even though maybe he causes drama for GMs or coaches by standing up for players.

I would have taken him on the Habs too still we need a good stopgap RD who isn't bottom pairing. Probably should have kept kovacevic but who knew injury would happen to Reinbacher.

If the Ducks are going to trade Trouba at 50% for a haul at the TDL, the laughing at Verbeek should stop pretty fast. A nice piece of business weaponizing capspace TBH.

But we will see what happens.

 

[TGWL]

1. Why do teams keep bailing the rangers out of bad contracts?
2. It's so amazing, and keeps happening from multiple GMs, that you have to wonder if the league office get insolved.
3. Why would the Ducks do this? A million ways to get to the cap floor next year without giving up any assets for a player that doesn't help your rebuild at all.

Nobody wonders if the league gets involved. Stop acting like this only happens to NYR with contracts being moved. Contracts that fans and GMs view differently...

Ducks had the space and gave up nothing of value that hurts their future. Should they have tried to get retention or an asset? Maybe. But this is a low risk move for a young core with cap space. A team that doesn't quite need to accumulate a lot deadline cap for trades.

Where is the risk? Maybe Trouba plays better in a different system and gets traded with retention next deadline. There's a lot of value potentially there.

 

[inthe6ix]

Not many cap dumps help a rebuild. It's either an overpaid guy with term, or a high AAV guy with less term that a team just needs to unload for immediate flexibility.

The former probably nets you something of significance, because few teams want to take on a player that could become an anchor down the road. The latter won't hurt much but also isn't likely to get you a sweetener if the guy can play at all, since many other rebuilding teams could easily take that on too with little issue.

Plus this frees the Ducks to deal both Dumoulin and Fowler without leaving only one veteran D on the team for this year and next. Both are likely to be desirable TDL targets.

I'm convinced that Fowler will retire a Duck. His name has been mentioned year after year for trades and he never ever gets moved.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

What is even in Anaheim? Usually I can picture a city skyline, and landmarks, either man made or geographical. When I think of Anaheim i get nothing besides the Ducks, or more specifically The Mighty Ducks, logo. Perhaps my ignorance is on me though

I think it’s part of LA? Maybe

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

I want max chaos.

Trouba flipped at 50% to the Islanders by the end of the weekend. Do it.

No thanks. We’re not alright. But we’re alright.

 

[FiveTacos]

I'm convinced that Fowler will retire a Duck. His name has been mentioned year after year for trades and he never ever gets moved.

He has a limited NTC. So before now he wasn't going anywhere unless he wanted to. He was also the only decent top 4 dman they've had since Lindholm left, the touted D prospect depth didn't start arriving until last year.

But now with the young guys (particularly Mintyukov and Zellweger) pushing him out of his role, reports are he's open to it. Zellweger in particular has all but taken over PP1 duties and primary OZ starts. Fowler will still have say in where he ends up though.

 

[haveandare]

It’s almost kind of unbelievable how badly the rangers spit in the face of their captain.

And ok, they get rid of Trouba for being a couple million overpaid.. then what? They sign Igor to a 11m / 8y and repeat the cycle but with a hole at 2nd pair RD? Brilliant.

Free agents are going to be weary of going to New York after what they did to Goodrow and what they just did to their own captain. I get it that it’s a business but this one seemed pretty extreme and for what? Not much. The rangers are a mess

Not sure how signing Igor repeats the cycle. Trouba was never considered to be elite at his position in the way Igor is. And there was already a hole at 2nd pair RD we were just paying 8M of cap space to have it and now we’re not

 

[Drumman44]

If the Ducks are going to trade Trouba at 50% for a haul at the TDL, the laughing at Verbeek should stop pretty fast. A nice piece of business weaponizing capspace TBH.

But we will see what happens.

It’s two deadlines from now so it’s tying up cap space next summer as well, which adds some risk in terms of being able to capitalize on further trades for a little longer. It’s a gamble by the Ducks. Let’s see if it pays off

 

[BMOK33]

He had a 15 team NTC for the last 2 years of his deal, not a full NMC/NTC. If he wanted full protection he should’ve negotiated it in his contract and probably would’ve had to take a little less money instead. He wanted his cake and eat it too and tried to play hardball with the Rangers over the summer by saying he wouldn’t report to another team, even though they were fully within their rights to trade him to half the league.

I don't think he could have forseen a scenario where they wanted to move him before that contract was up.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

It is Socal how could he complain?

I’ve never been there. But I hear there’s gangs and earthquakes and Menendez brothers.

 

[periferal]

To be honest Trouba is still a good vet and the cap has jumped such a ridiculous amount in the past few years that low spending teams could eat any contract in the league and still have space.

Also contrary to hf beliefs most top tier free agents pick their spot way before free agency and GMs know how likely their market is to get one. Gms have to sell to fans they were in the mix but most situations are John Tavares. Anaheim knows they're not getting one and have a ton of expiring contracts from mid vets.

Ooof. You couldn't have told the Islanders this before the 2018 trade deadline...?

They'll flip Trouba at the deadline next year for a haul. He's the premium second pairing version of the scrub bottom pairing physical presences like David savard or Ben chiarot that return a first round pick every year.

Like Anaheim aren't even at the cap floor next season after adding this much. They could still sign Marner and rantanen and be fine but they're getting neither.

None of their prospects are doing well enough to get mega raises. McTavish is probably the most important of the bunch but probably will either bridge or long term around 7 because he hasn't stepped forward enough. Carlsson is next summer and Troubas a free agent then.

It's basically zero risk for a guy they're going to flip for a first at minimum and will help build a good culture. As much as both his moves have been messy breakups, everywhere Trouba has been has had sustained success with him as a key piece. It's obvious team mates like him even though maybe he causes drama for GMs or coaches by standing up for players.

I would have taken him on the Habs too still we need a good stopgap RD who isn't bottom pairing. Probably should have kept kovacevic but who knew injury would happen to Reinbacher.

Appreciate the balanced reply overall. Lots of fair points. I do think the Ducks salvation here is flipping Trouba before the 2026 trade deadline. It's not like they gave up a ton, but still he has to stay healthy and not totally drop off playwise, but they need to get a ton more when they flip him.

 

[BMOK33]

Not sure how signing Igor repeats the cycle. Trouba was never considered to be elite at his position in the way Igor is. And there was already a hole at 2nd pair RD we were just paying 8M of cap space to have it and now we’re not

Its not ridiculous to argue the Igor contract could look terrible in about 5-6 years. By then though there may be 15 goalies making 10-15 mill a year. I think the Sorokin/Igor contracts are both just bad ideas. Teams can win cups without goalies playing out of their mind. NYR at the moment does not have a roster that can do that probably but many teams in the league do, just look at FLA last year, Bob had a poor postseason relative to 2023 but it did not matter. Its same argument that elite QBs are not needed to win a Super Bowl

 

[Rooch]

What is even in Anaheim? Usually I can picture a city skyline, and landmarks, either man made or geographical. When I think of Anaheim i get nothing besides the Ducks, or more specifically The Mighty Ducks, logo. Perhaps my ignorance is on me though

Disneyland AND California Adventure
Honda Center and the Ducks
Several great breweries (Golden Road, Brewery X, Bottle Logic, The Bruery, etc.)
The soon-to-be-completed OCVibe
The horrid Anaheim Angels and their ballpark
The Anaheim Packing District
Downtown Disney
Knott's Berry Farm
House of Blues
A 10-minute drive to the beach

 

[periferal]

Nobody wonders if the league gets involved. Stop acting like this only happens to NYR with contracts being moved. Contracts that fans and GMs view differently...

I do think the odds of the NHL involving themselves in trades is low (although they did do it back when the Islanders almost traded Ziggy Palffy to the rangers), so it is possible.

That said, from the Scott Gomez trade until yesterday's Trouba trade, there have been a few trades where the rangers had to get out from a bad contract like many other teams...But unlike those other teams they not only didn't have to give up an attractive asset, they actually got assets back in return. I'm not sure why that keeps happening, but there's a reason for it.

 

[Rec T]

I do think the Ducks salvation here is flipping Trouba before the 2026 trade deadline.

He'll still have his 15(?) team NTC that will need to be factored in. Certainly not insurmountable, but not an automatic "we're going to flip him for a big haul" either.

 

[Oilslick941611]

So with Trouba being traded and Igor signing almost immediately does this call into question Trouba win of the Mark Messier leadership award?

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

Disneyland AND California Adventure
Honda Center and the Ducks
Several great breweries (Golden Road, Brewery X, Bottle Logic, The Bruery, etc.)
The soon-to-be-completed OCVibe
The horrid Anaheim Angels and their ballpark
The Anaheim Packing District
Downtown Disney
Knott's Berry Farm
House of Blues
A 10-minute drive to the beach

The packing district? Vacation confirmed.

 

[FiveTacos]

It's not like they gave up a ton, but still he has to stay healthy and not totally drop off playwise, but they need to get a ton more when they flip him.

They gave up their current 8th dman and a 4th round pick ... I think it's pretty safe to say they'll get significantly more from trading each of Dumoulin, Fowler, and Trouba if they so choose.

Hell, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Trouba, if his wife settles in on her career in OC, will take less to stay put after ... I mean, he's shown twice now that his wife's career matters to him in his decision making. If she gets a good gig in SoCal, good bet he signs with either Ana or LA regardless of money.

 

[bleuetbio]

I've read a lot on this point but still not change my opinion which is a dump trade for Anaheim. With the Shersterkin contract solved right after, I just think that Anaheim makes a favor for NYR and we'll see something else in the future. This trade must included futures considerations not openly written,