In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: An update on Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba and winger Kaapo Kakko and suggested trade destinations for Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty and Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov.
UPDATE ON JACOB TROUBA AND KAAPO KAKKO
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple reports it doesn’t appear the New York Rangers will trade or buy out Jacob Trouba this summer.
The 30-year-old defenseman was the subject of trade speculation linking him to the Detroit Red Wings last month. However, league sources claim there was never anything close to a deal with the Wings.
Trading or buying out Trouba now would leave the Rangers in the market for a right-shot defenseman behind Adam Fox and Braden Schneider who kills penalties and can handle an occasional increase in playing time.
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).
Staple indicated there was at least one conversation between Trouba and Rangers general manager Chris Drury. There may have been some fence-mending by the Rangers regarding those trade rumors but Trouba is a pro who won’t put his emotions over the good of the team.
However, Staple believes it’s nearly certain that Trouba will be traded next summer. He has a 15-team no-trade list, will have a year left on his contract, and his wife’s medical residency will be completed by then.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The silence we’ve heard in the rumor mill about Trouba since July 1 led most of us to conclude he won’t be traded or bought out this summer. Drury’s attempt to trade him before July 1 was to free up cap space to make one or two signings in the free-agent market. With that market picked clean, there’s no reason to move Trouba now.
Staple felt if the Rangers make a move this summer it would involve Kaapo Kakko. The 23-year-old winger signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract last month but was still considered a trade candidate.
However, there have been no offers that interested Drury or other teams. Staple believes Kakko could also be back if the Rangers don’t want to sell low and find another top-nine forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury could bring Kakko back and hope he has a breakout performance like Alexis Lafreniere last season. If he doesn’t, the Rangers GM could bundle the young winger with a draft pick for an established forward by the March trade deadline. Maybe he tries to bring back Frank Vatrano.
SUGGESTED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR MCGROARTY AND ASKAROV
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon proposed some trade destinations for Winnipeg Jets prospect winger Rutger McGroarty and promising Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
McGroarty, 20, recently surfaced in the rumor mill amid reports he and the Jets disagree about the course of his development. Meanwhile, trade speculation about the 22-year-old Askarov has increased after the Predators signed Juuse Saros to a contract extension and signed veteran backup Scott Wedgewood.
Dixon suggested the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames as potential trade partners for McGroarty.
The Canadiens are flush with defensemen they could use to add McGroarty to their rebuilding roster. The Flames are also rebuilding and could use a promising young winger. The Wild could use a winger with his enticing profile, while the Bruins are a contending team that could use an affordable injection of youth into their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon observed the Canadiens and Wild were linked to McGroarty during the NHL draft.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes could use a promising young goaltender like Askarov. Dixon also suggested the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks could benefit from landing both players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon suggested the Jackets offer up Kent Johnson for Askarov, a pitch that could tempt the Predators. Askarov and Pyotr Kochetkov could give the Hurricanes a reliable goalie tandem for years.
Between the Devils and Sharks, the latter could be better positioned to pursue both players. They’re carrying two first-round picks in next year’s draft, a deeper prospect pool and a lot more salary-cap space.