NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest Rangers And Blues Trade Speculation

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba was the subject of considerable trade speculation in late June.

The Rangers were reportedly attempting to peddle their 30-year-old captain to free up his $8-million cap hit to put toward pursuing UFA talent when the free-agent market opened on July 1.

Several factors, including Trouba's no-movement clause until July 1, scuttled those efforts. He and Rangers GM Chris Drury insisted there was no bad blood between them as they put their focus on pursuing the Stanley Cup this season.

However, Trouba's NMC reverted to a 15-team no-trade clause for this season and a 12-team no-trade clause effective next July 1 for the final season of his contract. That's prompted some observers to suggest that Drury will shop the veteran blueliner next summer.

On Friday, The Athletic's Arthur Staple speculated Trouba would be traded following this season to free up cap space to put toward re-signing several players. Their pending free agents include goaltenders Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, defensemen K'Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren, and forwards Reilly Smith, Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle.

Drury can't afford them all, but shedding Trouba's $8 million for 2025-26 could help to retain Shesterkin, Miller and perhaps Kakko. Staple believes the blueliner could be moved without the Rangers retaining salary or adding assets like draft picks into the deal.

Staple also pondered the possibility of a wild-card move like peddling Miller. However, Trouba remains the most likely to go.

I talked with Jacob Trouba a few days ago and he opened up about what it means to represent the Rangers as captain and the responsibilities that come with that job.https://t.co/RBkctnbTJ1https://t.co/RBkctnbTJ1

— Remy Mastey (@MasteyRemy) November 4, 2024

Meanwhile, Staples colleague Jeremy Rutherford was asked if Brandon Saad, Jordan Binnington and Nick Leddy were the most likely St. Louis Blues to get moved if the club isn't a playoff contender by the March 7 trade deadline.

Rutherford considers Saad to be the most likely candidate. The 32-year-old left winger carries an average annual value of $4.5 million through 2025-26. He's been a consistent 20-plus-goal scorer and has two Stanley Cup rings to his credit.

Saad carries a full no-trade clause this season. However, he might waive it for the right club if the Blues were to shop him by the deadline.