So now that the Canada vs Russia game is over (suck it, Putin), I can talk about the real issue here. As per Sportsnet:
Jacob Trouba has requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets https://t.co/p8uEYGCCkW pic.twitter.com/ito7K6v1Gk
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 24, 2016
Oil Country was lit up like a drunken tourist at Mardi Gras during the first period of the WCH Canada VS Russia game as news broke that Jacob Trouba had officially requested a trade. Word is he’s been unhappy since May. Additionally, the issue with Trouba doesn’t seem to be the city or the team, but moreso that he is unhappy playing on the left side, and wants a bigger role higher up on the right side of the Jet’s depth chart. Trouba is currently buried there behind Dustin Byfuglien and others, and the Jets have no need to rush him into their top 4.
The Oilers, starving for a 2-way puck mover on the right side that could potentially be a powerplay option, are a natural fit. Unfortunately, Oilers fans have gone completely insane since Peter Chiarelli traded Hall for Larsson, and seem to be suggesting that everyone from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to Jordan Eberle and his future first born child should be included as options for a potential deal involving Trouba.
I’d imagine that Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is also licking his chops at the prospect of fleecing Chiarelli for a player that could potentially become a distraction for his team. There are a number of scenarios that could play themselves out here, and whichever outcome occurs, Oilers fans should tame their expectations and enthusiasm.
PK Subban
We all remember the P.K Subban fiasco when he sat as an RFA because he wasn’t happy with the deal the Habs were tabling, and the subsequent trade that made hockey history within 30 minutes of the Hall deal being announced.
Subban had been offered a bridge deal by the Canadiens, and after winning the Norris trophy, he wanted more, and rightfully so. For months on end (luckily for the Habs, around the lockout shortened season) Subban held out on the Habs, until an extension was finally reached. It’s debatable if this was the beginning of the end of Subban’s time in Montreal, but in hindsight we now know the two sides eventually elected to part ways.
Enter Jacob Trouba, who was at one time reportedly seeking in the range of 6-7 million a season with the Jets at the league maximum for term. Given the impending negotiations between the Jets and Dustin Byfuglien, it was insane to think Winnipeg would cave to such demands. While there’s no official confirmation these numbers were accurate, it is clear that the Jets were in a bind with their desire to sign big buff, and the fallout now seems to be manifest with the trade request made public by Trouba’s agent.
Just who is Trouba?
So just who is Jacob Trouba? Oilers fans who aren’t overly familiar with Trouba may have had a glimpse of him at this years World Cup of Hockey, where Trouba featured as one of the defensemen backing up future Oilers captain Connor McDavid for Team North America. Trouba brings a solid 2-way game with a lot of upside, and at 6’3 and a touch over 200 pounds, he can play a physical game and isn’t afraid to lay down the hits. Courtesy of hockey’s future:
Talent Analysis
Trouba is a defenseman with size that really thrives in the physical game. He can lay some bone-crushing hits and is never one to back down when challenged. Trouba is a fierce competitor and plays with a good deal of confidence.
Part of what makes Trouba such a highly regarded player is his ability to use his large frame and physicality advantageously, particularly in separating opposing players from the puck. And that attribute will become even more evident as he continues to fill out his 6’2” frame.Trouba is an excellent skater with speed, agility and great feet. He also skates exceedingly well with the puck too.
While he didn’t show it much during the World Junior Championship, Trouba also possesses excellent offensive skills too. He has a very powerful shot and is quite adept at moving the puck. He can also be found jumping up into play as well. Some scouts project Trouba as an offensive defenseman, but he’ll likely blossom into a two-way defenseman due to his sound play in the defensive zone.
Many scouts point to Trouba’s decision-making as one of his greatest weaknesses. His decisions at times are erratic and he is sometimes slow to reacting to developing plays. Some scouts also have questions about Trouba’ hockey sense as well. But with maturity and development, Trouba should be able to improve in those areas.
It would seem there is a very real fit between Trouba and the Oilers, and he would in all likelihood see not only increased ice time and responsibility, but also a chance to quarterback the Oilers powerplay, and put his excellent point shot to good use (something the Oilers have been lacking for years).
So what’s the deal?
All of this boils down to a number of factors, the greatest of which is whether or not Trouba would be willing to accept a trade to the Oilers in the first place. While Trouba doesn’t have a NMC or a NTC, it’s important for the Oilers to make sure there is an interest on the player’s side.
There is certainly a fit for him here as far as ice time (and special teams) go, and he’s no stranger to the winter having spent years in Winnipeg. However, the Oilers will have cap problems of their own when it comes time to pay McDavid, and a defenseman that is chomping at the bit to earn 6 or 7 million dollars that he hasn’t necessarily earned yet could hamstring the Oilers for years to come.
Trouba is an RFA, and if the Oilers can land him on his remaining year, we might expect the cost to be significantly less than if they insist on a contract extension with him. Other factors could include the Jets leverage over Trouba. The Jets could very well play hardball and let him sit, and while it seems somewhat unlikely, Trouba is still young and the Jets do have a considerable amount of negotiating power for the time being.
Asking Price?
This is where I’m legitimately concerned for Oilers fans. After the Taylor Hall trade, Oilers fans seem prepared to gut the entire team (or basically any forward not named McDavid) to make the playoffs. I’ve seen suggestions that we should do everything from Nuge to Draisaitl to next years 1st – Yakupov – Davidson +.
It’s important to remember here that the Oilers aren’t as desperate as they were for help on the backend before the Hall trade, and that Trouba himself has issued the trade request. I’d personally start out with next year’s 1st round pick as an initial point of negotiation, and go from there. Names I would include would be Brandon Davidson. I might even entertain the idea of Darnell Nurse for Trouba, although I think there would need to be more pieces involved both ways, given the impending expansion draft, Trouba’s RFA status, and his rumored contract demands.
Alternatives
While the Oilers could look to trade for Trouba, they could also offer sheet him. Courtesy of generalfanager.com, the Oilers currently have $8.3 million in cap space (not including bonuses) as opposed to the Jets $6.9 million. Depending on the term and $ amount offered, it seems unlikely the Jets could or would even match (given Trouba’s demands). An offer sheet would benefit the Oilers by allowing them to give nothing but dollars and term up for a young player they could definitely use, but it could backfire in the form of future cap issues and compensatory draft picks.
Conclusion
Peter Chiarelli would be wise to get on the phone pronto and follow up on Trouba (sadly, I have no confidence that he has already done so). Trouba and the Oilers are a perfect fit, and while it might take some creativity on Chiarelli’s part, it’s a deal that probably could have been done months ago to the benefit of both teams.
If you’re a Jets fan, I’d especially like to hear from you on the Trouba issue either in the comments or on twitter.
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