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Jacob Trouba named 28th captain in Rangers history |
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Nothing like late evening news during the dog days of summer to get us to focus on Rangers hockey. Kevin Weekes broke the story just before midnight that Rangers are about to name Jacob Trouba as the 28th captain in team history. I wouldn’t call the decision a surprise, as there whispers of Trouba getting the C prior to last season, but the interesting part is Weekes breaking it knowing how tight-lipped the organization is.
Weekes breaking the news may have forced the team’s hand, as the formal announcement of Trouba getting the C came down this morning.
Trouba, who came to New York from Winnipeg in 2019, signing a seven-year, $56 million extension after his acquisition, has found his voice and sea legs the past several seasons. After struggling the first season plus, Trouba became more of a leader - on and off the ice - the past two years. Trouba is clearly a vocal leader, but has shown he can be measured in comments in front of the media while delivering strong messages. His greatest strength might have been his mentorship of his defensive partner K’Andre Miller, resulting in massive gains by the young blueliner last season.
As Vince Mercogliano noted, Trouba had his most productive season with the Rangers in 2021-22, posting 39 points (11 goals and 28 assists) while registering the lowest goals allowed per 60 minutes (2.11) of the past three years, according to Evolving Hockey. In addition, he led the team with 177 blocked shots while adding 207 hits during the season. We all know the impact he had in the playoffs, both in terms of on ice with hits and scoring but also in the locker room, where he was the player that got the team together after Game 4 against Pittsburgh, paving the way for the comeback. (Yes, I know the Crosby hit, but beyond that play, he was a key driver to the series win). Trouba has four years left on a contract that pays him $8 million annually with a no-movement clause that runs through the 2023-24 season, at which point he can submit a 15-team no-trade list.
With Trouba being given the captaincy and Ryan Strome signing with the Ducks in free agency, the team now has four alternate captains: Artemi Panarin, Barclay Goodrow, Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Coach Gerard Gallant was the driver to have the six alternate captains last year, rather than giving Trouba or another else the C. New York could opt to go with two captains, likely CK20 and Zib, or alternate which two are at home or on the road, or stick with the four. My view is they stick with the four, since that’s a mildly manageable number.
Trouba succeeds Ryan McDonagh as captain. McD took over from Ryan Callahan, after he was dealt to Tampa, with the role staying open since McD headed to that same team in 2018. Callahan was traded when the team and player could not reach agreement on a long-term deal while McDonagh was jettisoned as part of the rebuild with a year plus remaining on his contract. Trouba has four seasons left, whether he remains in New York to finish the contract remains to be seen, especially when the NMC clause ends in two years. But for now, he will wear the C on his jersey for the storied franchise.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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