Embers Cooling on Trouba to Red Wings Speculation

It’s beginning to appear as if the talk of defenseman Jacob Trouba coming to the Detroit Red Wings being imminent might’ve been too much, too soon.

The thinking was it was be close to being a done deal on Saturday. The New York Rangers captain would be coming home to Hockeytown. Now, league sources are throwing cold water on that notion.

An NHL source familiar with the situation told Detroit Hockey Now that there hasn’t been much in the way of high-level talks between the two clubs regarding a Trouba trade. There’s even been speculation that the Rangers were the one pushing along the Trouba to Detroit narrative. The speculation wasn’t being driven by signifcant interest in the idea from Red Wings management.

Per Larry Brooks: “If Trouba does not approve a trade to Detroit that is believed in place, he will ultimately be sent somewhere else, perhaps by waivers. The decision has been made.”

— NY Rangers News (@nyrgoal99) July 1, 2024

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also was dispelling the notion that Trouba to the Red Wings was something that was on the verge of happening.

“The Rangers were trying to push it along, and they thought if they could work out something with Detroit, Trouba would be willing to go there,” Friedman said during the 32 Thoughts podcast. “And then I had some people tell me on Saturday that it’s not close . . . this is far, far more of a challenge than you think it’s going to be.”

Trouba Could End Up On Waivers

Only July 1, Trouba’s contract was switching from a complete no-movement clause to permitting him to submit a list of 15 teams he’d be willing to go to. The Rangers have requested and received that list from their captain.

Status quo for NYR captain Jacob Trouba. His no move clause has shifted to a modified no trade clause and his 15 team no trade list has been submitted.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2024

In fact, the motivation for the Rangers to shed themselves of Trouba’s $8 million AAV is strong. If working out a trade becomes impossible, they may go the same route that they did with forward Bradley Goodrow and be placing Trouba on NHL waivers?

The San Jose Sharks wound up claiming Goodrow on waivers.