In a surprising move, the New York Rangers announced on Friday that they had traded their captain Jacob Trouba to the Ducks. The decision came as a shock to many, considering Trouba had been with the team for five seasons and was captain for three of them. The Rangers’ longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider, chose to focus on the game at hand and not comment on the situation.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, the Rangers managed to secure a 4-2 win over the Penguins, with Igor Shesterkin putting up a solid performance in goal. In Trouba’s absence, Victor Mancini made his return to the Rangers lineup after an extended stint in Hartford.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette addressed the trade, emphasizing that it was a decision made in collaboration with the team’s president and general manager. Laviolette expressed the team’s awareness of their recent poor performance and the need to turn things around to stay in playoff contention.
The trade of Trouba marked a significant shift for the Rangers, with players acknowledging the emotional impact of seeing a longtime teammate and leader move on. While the team expressed their support for Trouba, they also emphasized the need to remain focused on their upcoming games and control what they can on the ice.
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