Jacob Trouba is set to return to Madison Square Garden on Monday, not as the captain of the New York Rangers, but as a member of the Anaheim Ducks. The defenseman's departure from the Rangers in December 2024 sent shockwaves through the league, and his first game back in New York is laden with emotion and reflection.
Traded to the Ducks for Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick, Trouba's exit from the Rangers was anything but smooth. After nearly six seasons with the team, including a stint as captain, Trouba's tenure ended amidst public trade rumors and reported pressure from the Rangers.
Trouba acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding his trade. He confirmed reports that the Rangers had instructed him to accept a trade or face being scratched, and that the team threatened to place him on waivers if he didn't waive his no-trade clause. "Yesterday morning was, 'Accept this trade or we're scratching you,'" Trouba said. "Got to the place where I felt comfortable with Anaheim, and that was the place I wanted to go".
Despite the unceremonious exit, Trouba harbors no regrets. He stated that he was placed in a position to choose between his career and his family, and he chose his family. He also mentioned that he felt the Ducks were the right fit for him. He doesn't like that the situation was made public.
Since joining the Anaheim Ducks, Trouba has found a new lease on his hockey career. In 31 games this season, he has five goals and 14 points, accompanied by a plus-14 rating.
In the lead-up to his return to New York, Trouba reflected on his time with the Rangers, calling his exit a "small blip". "It's New York City, you're kind of the pressure cooker of the media," Trouba said. "I think when I ended up getting traded there. It was, those are the big lights. It's crazy. There's so much going on. It's fun. It's such a unique place, and obviously being captain of that team was also pretty cool, something I'll remember for the rest of my life".
The Rangers, under head coach Mike Sullivan, are currently sitting with a 16-13-4 record. The team is led in scoring by Artemi Panarin. J.T. Miller currently wears the captain's C for the Rangers.
As Trouba prepares to face his former team, he does so with a sense of closure and optimism. While his departure from New York was less than ideal, he seems to have found a fresh start in Anaheim and is embracing the opportunity to contribute to the Ducks' promising season. His return to Madison Square Garden will undoubtedly be an emotional affair, marking the end of one chapter and the continuation of another in his NHL career.
