Ex-Rangers captain Jacob Trouba throws shade, ‘having more fun’ in Anaheim
Jacob Trouba is enjoying brighter days with the Anaheim Ducks — and that’s not just reflective of the warmer California climate. To help emphasize that point, Trouba took a jab at his former team, the New York Rangers, on Tuesday night.
The former Rangers captain scored his ninth goal of the season in a 4-2 Ducks victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, helping them win for the ninth time in 11 games (9-2-0). With 26 games left to play this season, Trouba is two goals away from tying his career high of 11 — set with the Rangers in 2021-22. He scored one goal in 77 games with the Rangers and Ducks last season.
“I think playing a little looser,” Trouba told the NHL on TNT studio panel postgame. “To be honest with you, I’m having a little bit more fun than I’ve had the past couple of years.”
That comment, and subtle dig at the Rangers, should come as no surprise. Trade rumors, injuries, and subpar play muddied Trouba’s final two seasons in New York. When general manager Chris Drury threatened to place the veteran defenseman on waivers in December 2024, Trouba waived his 15-team no-trade clause and accepted a trade to Anaheim, stamping an unceremonious end to his six-year tenure on Broadway.
“I think that’s been refreshing for me — coming to the rink with a smile on my face and excited to show up to practice and put in the work and be around the guys here,” Trouba continued. “The young guys are pretty infectious. It’s pretty fun to be around this group, and it’s something I’m really enjoying.”
Weather aside, there’s no argument that Anaheim is the more attractive destination at present. As the Rangers continue their spiral down the NHL standings, the Ducks hold a playoff spot, sitting third in the Pacific Division with 63 points.
In Trouba’s case, it doesn’t hurt to pair with an Olympian in Team USA defender Jackson Lacombe. Trouba logged over 477 minutes at even strength alongside the 25-year-old — by far the most of any partner this season. His 22:35 average TOI is the highest for Trouba since 2018-19 with the Winnipeg Jets (22:53).
“Coming here last year, I think I knew who he was, but I’d never really watched him play,” Trouba admitted. “Pretty quickly, you see the ability he has. Getting to play with him is pretty special. He makes the right plays, always in the right spot; he covers my butt a lot.”
Jacob Trouba makes latest jab at Rangers
It’s not the first time Trouba hinted at some grievances toward his former squad.
When the Rangers traveled out west to play the Ducks in January, the 31-year-old piped circus music into Anaheim’s locker room, when the New York media waited outside .
During his introductory press conference with Anaheim last season, Trouba quipped, “It’s a rite of passage to get fired at MSG.”
Safe to say, there’s no love lost between the two sides — and that extends to a Blueshirts fanbase that isn’t thrilled by Trouba’s latest remarks.
As Rangers captains know all too well, the spotlight is quite bright in New York. Just ask J.T. Miller. Add in Trouba’s sizeable seven-year contract worth $8 million annually, and it’s no wonder the polarizing defenseman was a frequent source of fans’ irritation.
Trouba was a key contributor on a Blueshirts squad that reached the Eastern Conference Final twice in three seasons, also captaining the 2023-24 Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy and taking home the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award the same season.
That’s not to say that his playoff performances were flawless.
Trouba labored through a broken ankle in 2024 — which saw a “kidney bean-sized chunk” fall off the bone — and his results noticeably suffered. Despite recording a goal and seven points in 16 games, Trouba was a detriment on the ice over six games against the Florida Panthers in the conference final. His misplay on Sam Bennett’s first-period goal at 19:10 in Game 6 played a big role in New York’s postseason elimination.
Given the circumstances, it’s likely that both parties are better off separated.
And it’s clear Trouba is enjoying having the better end of things, at least this season.
