Rangers move on from Jacob Trouba, send captain to Ducks - ESPN

The New York Rangers have traded defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, the teams announced Friday, ending a tense few months of speculation about their captain's future.

The Ducks sent defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick to the Rangers for Trouba. Sources told ESPN that Anaheim will take on all of Trouba's contract, which carries an $8 million average annual value through the 2025-26 season.

The Rangers will receive either the Ducks' or the Detroit Red Wings' fourth-round pick, whichever is lower in the draft order.

«I want to sincerely thank Jacob for his contributions to the Rangers and our community,» general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. «Jacob has been an example on and off the ice for our organization and played a major role in our success over the last several years. Since coming to New York five years ago, and serving as Captain for the last three seasons, he has demonstrated grit, toughness, and tremendous leadership and we can't thank Jacob enough for everything he has done for the Rangers.»

Trouba had been held out of Rangers practice and Friday night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins for «roster management purposes,» as the team sought to move him. The 30-year-old defenseman had a 15-team no-trade clause in his contract.

The Rangers presented him with several possible trades. The Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres had all talked to the Rangers about Trouba recently, sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. Forcing Trouba's hand was the threat of being placed on waivers, taking away any control he would have over a trade as leverage to force a decision.

New York is 13-10-1 this season, fourth in the Metropolitan Division and in