With the Rangers mired in a long stretch of mediocre hockey and losing to the bottom-feeding Chicago Blackhawks on December 3, Trouba was throwing his body with authority and fighting any willing takers.

One player that got caught on the tracks of the Number 8 Trouba Train was Andreas Athanasiou. Afterwards, he accused the hard-hitting defenseman of looking to injure players since he can’t do much else to help his team.

“That guy is known for hitting high, not really worrying about the puck out there and almost trying to hurt people,” Athanasiou told the Chicago Sun Times. “That’s his game; that’s what he does. He’s an $8 million man with zero goals, so he has to figure out how to do something when making that much.”

Trouba throws the body, throws some hands, and throws his bucket to fire up the #NYR bench. pic.twitter.com/dUcdQQSfoE

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) December 4, 2022

Jacob Trouba gets the last laugh

Before the New York Rangers went out and absolutely demolished the Chicago Blackhawks in their own building, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan asked Trouba about Athanasiou’s comments. He simply shrugged it off and pretended not to care.

I mean, he did score a shorthanded goal on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, albeit into an empty net. It was his first of the season and Trouba genuinely appeared unfazed about it when asked.

Well like I said earlier, once the battle on the ice begins a different Trouba shows up.

In the second period, Mika Zibanejad entered the zone with his captain trailing close behind. A drop pass was then hammered past Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom with Trouba immediately turning around and looking at Athanasiou. As soon as he spotted him the Rangers “$8 million man” smiled and said: “Hey! You want the puck?”

Did Jacob Trouba just ask Andreas Athanasiou if he wants the puck? 😂 pic.twitter.com/i5VXD3mVVh

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 19, 2022

After the game, Trouba was asked about it and said with a giant boyish grin: “If he wanted it, he can have it.”

Well played Mr. Trouba. Well played.

Was Jacob Trouba offering Andreas Athanasiou the puck after his goal?

"If he wanted it, he can have it." pic.twitter.com/XVAKvUfVL2

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 19, 2022

NHL News and Rumors

NHL Recaps. All the latest scores here.

NHL Rumors: van Riemsdyk, O’Reilly, Kane, and Toews. Read more.

NHL Rumors: A busy trade deadline looms. Read more.

As we’ve written here already, the Rangers are done signing any UFAs for next season. That doesn’t mean they can’t give several players still hunting for a contract a Professional Try Out (PTO).

Here are a few candidates:

Derick Brassard, C (33 years-old)

Big game Brass will become Big Bargain Brass for the team willing to give him a 1 year deal at $1 million. He scored 32 points in 66 games last season but really showed something for the surprising Islanders in return to play. Maybe a reunion with the Rangers is in order?

In 18 games this past summer, Brassard notched two goals and eights points. He helped the Islanders get to the Eastern Conference Final. If you are looking from some bottom six clutch, Brassard is your guy.

Brian Boyle, C (35 years-old)

If we are talking about reunions, another player familiar with the pressures of playing in New York is Brian Boyle. He’s another center that would come in for one year at less than one million.

In 39 games for the Panthers last season he scored six goals and 15 points. Boyle would also be a vocal leader in the locker-room and help the 4th line and PK.

Ben Hutton, D (27 years old)

The Rangers could possibly want more option on the left side of the defense. Young Ben Hutton could be the answer, at least on a tryout basis. He notched 16 points in 65 games for the L.A. Kings last year but is now a UFA.

I suspect someone will lock up Hutton on a deal soon. However, if he is still around in December why not bring him in.

Devin Shore, C (26 years-old)

The 6’1″ center showed some promise early in his career with the Dallas Stars. In his first two full seasons he scored 33 and 32 points respectively. Since then he has bounced from Anaheim to Columbus and now to UFA.

This 2nd round pick, 61st overall could be someone to give a look at training camp for the 4th line. You never know, worst case you could sign him to play for the Wolf Pack on a two-way deal.

Andreas Athanasiou, C (26 years-old)

Here’s a bargain 26 year-old center the Oilers did not qualify. Athanasiou is a player with promise who scored 26 points in 55 games. He could maybe even step up to solidify the Rangers third line if needed. That is of course if he’s still around by next month.

Athanasiou plays with speed and at worst can play on the 4th line and at wing. Penalty killing can always use guys with wheels too.

Check out the latest NHL rumors here!

The Blue Jackets have some work to do and more. Latest at The Daily Goal Horn.

As we’ve written here already, the Rangers are done signing any UFAs for next season. That doesn’t mean they can’t give several players still hunting for a contract a Professional Try Out (PTO).

Here are a few candidates:

Brian Boyle, C (35 years-old)

If we are talking about reunions, another player familiar with the pressures of playing in New York is Brian Boyle. He’s another center that would come in for one year at less than one million.

In 39 games for the Panthers last season he scored six goals and 15 points. Boyle would also be a vocal leader in the locker-room and help the 4th line and PK.

Andreas Athanasiou, C (26 years-old)

Here’s a bargain 26 year-old center the Oilers did not qualify. Athanasiou is a player with promise who scored 26 points in 55 games. He could maybe even step up to solidify the Rangers third line if needed.

Athanasiou plays with speed and at worst can play on the 4th line and at wing. Penalty killing can also use guys with wheels too.

Derick Brassard, C (33 years-old)

Big game Brass will become Big Bargain Brass for the team willing to give him a 1 year deal at $1 million. He scored 32 points in 66 games last season but really showed something for the surprising Islanders in return to play.

In 18 games this summer, Brassard notched two goals and eights points. He helped the Islanders get to the Eastern Conference Final. If you are looking from some bottom six clutch, Brassard is your guy.

Conor Sheary, LW (28 years-old)

The diminutive winger plays an aggressive style that could help a team’s bottom six. Conor Sheary’s production has dipped ever since 2016-17 where he scored 53 points in just 61 games.

At this point when you look at the field, he’s not going to get anywhere close to $3 million per season. That’s what his last deal paid and he should get a one year deal to prove his worth in 2021.

Yesterday, we presented one option in the name of Derick Brassard. He is certainly one the Rangers could consider, but for the purpose of this article here are three more.

Three cheap free agent centers the Rangers could consider

Carl Soderberg, (35 years-old)

Last season Soderberg put up decent numbers for the Arizona Coyotes. The 6-3″ pivot notched 35 points in 70 games while averaging 15 minutes a game.

He could help the Rangers as a fourth line center. Soderberg can be tough in the defensive zone and add some more sandpaper to the lineup. His last deal was for $4.75M and he won’t see that again. A one year at $1M deal could make some sense for the Blueshirts.

Andreas Athanasiou: (26 years-old)

Here’s a bargain 26 year-old center the Oilers did not qualify. Athanasiou is a two-way player who scored 26 points in 55 games. He could maybe even step up to solidify the Rangers third line if needed.

Athanasiou plays with speed and at worst can play on the 4th line and at wing. Penalty killing can also use guys with wheels too.

Brian Boyle (35 years-old)

If we are talking about reunions, another player familiar with the pressures of playing in New York is Brian Boyle. He’s another center that would come in for one year at less than one million.

In 39 games for the Panthers last season he scored six goals and 15 points. Boyle would also be a vocal leader in the locker-room and help the 4th line and PK.

Lost Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs were just dealt a huge blow as it has just been announced they have lost forward Andreas Johnsson for 6 months. This will handcuff them in making a deal for a defenseman with term like Matt Dumba as it means they will likely need to pull Kasperi Kapanen off the table.

In response the Leafs have acquired forward Denis Malgin from Florida in exchange for forward prospect Mason Marchment. Malgin has 12 points in 36 games this season.

Islanders in on Kreider?

When it first came across, I thought “No Way!”. Then Darren Dreger piggybacked on it and it made me at least pause.

Today…yeah, still no way. I can’t see the Rangers trading Kreider to the Island nor can I see Lou Lamoriello take a risk in giving up a huge package to only see Kreider possibly re-sign with the Rangers in July.

And also keep your eyes on the Rangers after acquiring Julien Gauthier, he was not sent to Hartford as it may be time to bubble warp Jesper Fast or Chris Kreider.

Alec Martinez to Vegas?

Looks like that is being finalized per the Insiders.

Robin Lehner available?

If the rumors are true, don’t be surprised if the Colorado Avalanche don’t make a play for him.

I do think Colorado checked out Corey Crawford. But Robin Lehner’s future ties into Chicago’s decision. Lehner’s performance during Chicago’s 5-3 loss to Edmonton raised eyebrows. Not because he was bad or anything, but because he was “quiet.” Lehner plays a “loud” game, both in terms of his voice and activity.

Elliotte Friedman

Winging it in Detroit?

Another name that could be moved for the right offer is Detroit’s Andreas Anthanasiou. The 25 year old RFA could give the Wings just what they need to start building for the future.

THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan reports injuries to contending teams could bolster the trade value of Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou. The Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks could be in play.

Spector’s Hockey