The New York Rangers acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Neal Pionk and a 2019 first-round pick (20th overall).
Trouba, 25, was the most in-demand restricted free agent in the league. The Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders were all part of a bidding war for the defenseman. The Rangers were the most serious and landed their no. 1 offseason target.
To clarify a common question regarding the Trouba trade:
The #NHLJets reacquiring their 2019 1st rd pick does NOT have any effect on an offer sheet.
The 2019 draft is June 21-22; offer sheets can be signed on July 1 (Compensation consists of 2020 picks)https://t.co/ajZxt3P3EO
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 18, 2019
The 2019 first-round pick (20th overall) in the trade was originally acquired by the Rangers from the Jets with Brendan Lemieux in exchange for forward Kevin Hayes. Trouba is a restricted free agent is likely going to look for a seven-year, $7.5 million or more per season.
Winnipeg’s 1st round pick in the 2019 draft (#20), was originally traded on the Feb 25th trade deadline as part of the Kevin Hayes trade.
It has now been reacquired by the #Jets as part of todays Trouba/Pionk trade.https://t.co/aHPWU1SNDF pic.twitter.com/8O3PD9Mpje
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 17, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Pionk played two seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19) for the Rangers. He played 101 games and scored seven goal, 33 assists, 47 penalty minutes, and minus 17.
Trouba scored 50 points (8 goals, 42 assists) in 82 games in the 2018-2019 season. In his six seasons with the Jets, he averaged 22:52 ice-time. The big defenseman is will likely be in the first pair with Adam Fox and first power-play unit.
Very much enjoying Jacob Trouba’s oddly satisfying 50/50 stats in Winnipeg this year.
In 1434:13 of 5v5 TOI he had:
-1409 attempts for, 1408 attempts against
-68 goals for, 68 goals against
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) June 18, 2019
The Rangers are putting together a young core of defensemen prospects that includes Lias Andersson, Vitali Kravstov and Filip Chytil. Having the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Rangers are expected to either get Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kaako. It all depends on who the Devils will pick No. 1 overall.
Expect general manager Jeff Gorton to be active in free agency. The Rangers could be in the mix for former Columbus Jacket forward Artemi Panarin. Panarin is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has no intention to resigns with Columbus.
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