Jacob Trouba Refuses to Come to Training Camp Unsigned, Requests Trade

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba has requested a trade from the organization and will not be attending training camp, as per multiple reports.

Trouba’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, released a statement regarding the situation at hand. 

It was rumored that the 22-year-old defenseman was in ongoing negotiations with the Jets, but the two were on different pages when it came to overall term, salary and role. However, in another interview with Sportsnet, Trouba pointed out that the reason for the trade comes because he would like the opportunity to develop and reach his full potential by playing on the right side.

“…It’s about playing in the top four,” Trouba said. “That’s what I want to be.”

Trouba was third on the Jets for average time on ice, skating about 22:03 per game, trailing only fellow RHD Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers. He often spent time on the left side, playing on the top pairing with Byfuglien. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound defenseman also finished with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) and was a plus-10 through 81 games this past season.

Given the Jets’ depth when it comes to the right side of their defensive corps, it is easy to see why Trouba could get lost in the mix and unable to play in the position he wants.

The loss of Trouba will take a big toll on the Jets’ corps; thankfully, they still have their right-side depth, but the team will lose an-and-coming defenseman who could become one of the NHL’s top blueliners in the coming years. He does hold great trade value, but given the request, he may not warrant as big a return as he would get before the season.

While it is difficult to see Trouba go, I believe that a change of scenery will bring him a better career. He is a top-four defender and good right-handed blueliners are hard to come by. The former first-round pick has great offensive potential and possesses ideal size for the NHL, and his entire career is ahead of him. Winnipeg’s defensive corps (while the right side remains intact) will take a huge step back; it’s not easy to come by Troubas, and replacing him will be quite the ordeal.