As the 2019 NHL Draft edges closer, Winnipeg Jets' defenseman Jacob Trouba is likely to find a new home.
The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent and hasn't given the Jets any indication that he wants to remain in Winnipeg. Now is an ideal time for Winnipeg to drum up a bidding war among a deep pool of teams interested in acquiring the no. 1 defenseman.
Could his new home be Madison Square Garden? Well, the Rangers certainly have the assets needed to land Trouba – but could face in-division competition from the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, as well as several contending teams outside the Metropolitan Division.
Crucially, the Jets do not own a first-round pick in the 2019 draft after trading it away to the Rangers in the Kevin Hayes deal. The Rangers could flip the 20th overall pick back to the Jets as part of a package that brings Trouba to Broadway.
It's no secret that the Rangers have maintained a long-term interest in Trouba. In an ideal world, the Rangers will pay Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff's asking price with an understanding that Trouba will sign a long-term contract with the Blueshirts.
That said, signing Trouba could be complicated. It's probably going to take an annual salary near $7.5 million, and that's if Trouba is willing to forgo 2020 free agency. He could very well turn out to be a one-year rental.
If the Rangers are able to reel in Trouba, he would slot into a first-pairing role on the right side. He's exactly what the Rangers need – which is a genuine no. 1 defenseman entering his prime years. Trouba excels as a shutdown man and improved offensively last season by recording 50 points in 82 games. The 6-foot-3, 203-pound blueliner would fill the Ryan McDonagh-sized void that's been missing for years as an all-around 23-minutes-per-night defenseman.
Compared to the alternative of getting in on the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes, Trouba is younger and without the worrying health concerns that would come with signing Karlsson. If the Rangers can acquire Trouba and convince him to put pen to paper, he's also going to cost a good amount less in terms of an annual cap hit.
If Trouba arrives at The Garden, it would surely signal an end to Kevin Shattenkirk's time with the Rangers. Trouba, Tony DeAngelo and Adam Fox would fill the right side – leaving Shattenkirk without a role. The goal then would be to trade Shattenkirk, with the Rangers eating some of his remaining $6.65 million annual cap hit through 2020-21.
I think Rangers fans would be delighted with these defensive pairings for next season: Skjei-Trouba, Hajek-DeAngelo and Staal-Fox. This would also leave Brendan Smith and Neal Pionk without clear roles. Smith is certainly a buyout candidate. Pionk's offensive potential could be attractive to some teams, though the Rangers could keep him around as a seventh defenseman who competes with Fox for ice time.
As the June 21 draft approaches, Trouba's destination will become clearer. I think he's the all-around defenseman that the Rangers desperately need, and I think Jeff Gorton is in good position to strike a deal.
Follow Sean on Twitter -- @HartnettHockey
