Why former teammate believes Vincent Trocheck should be next Rangers captain: ‘he’s got … magnetism’

One of the biggest debates ahead of training camp is which player should be the next captain of the New York Rangers.

There’s been a vacancy since Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December. Recent history shows that the Rangers are willing to without one for a while, as they did after Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018 and before Trouba was next to wear the “C” beginning in the 2022-23 season.

But it feels like this time the Rangers will move more quickly and name a captain before next season begins. J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox appear to be the top candidates. Valis arguments can be made for each, ranging from leadership and personality traits, to who might be with the Rangers a longer period of time.

Though their are many varying opinions on this topic, one former Rangers player believes there’s no question that Trocheck should be named captain.

“There’s something about ‘Troch.’ He’s got that kind of magnetism that guys are drawn to,” Nick Bonino told co-hosts Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen on the latest Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast.

Why Rangers ‘couldn’t go wrong’ naming Vincent Trocheck captain

There’ve been 29 captains in Rangers history, a tally that includes Mark Messier’s two separate stints (1991-1997; 2000-2004) wearing the ‘C.” Rangers legends Brian Leetch, Jaromir Jagr, Brad Park, Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell are among those who’ve also been captain.

So, why does Bonino believe Trocheck should be No. 30, in the 100th anniversary season with the Rangers?

“He’s vocal, but he’s not too vocal, and he plays hard — which is really what you want,” Bonino explained. “He’s going to go out every night and give it.”

Since signing with New York in 2022, Trocheck has been one of the Rangers’ most consistent performers, logging heavy minutes in all situations and delivering in key situations. For Bonino, it’s the exact habits a captain should embody.

Bonino and Trocheck were teammates for part of the 2023-24 season before Bonino’s tenure in New York ended abruptly. The veteran forward cleared waivers in late January, was given the All-Star break to choose his next move, and ultimately asked the Rangers to terminate his contract rather than report to Hartford of the American Hockey League AHL — which the organization honored.

But those four months and 45 games with the Rangers was enough for Trocheck to win Bonino over.

And the two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins — who’s now an assistant with the Penguins under new coach Dan Muse — knows a thing or two about great leaders. He did, after all, play with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, and was a respected leader himself over 15 seasons in the NHL.

So, even though Bonino has plenty of respect for Fox, who he played with, and Miller, who he knows from the Pittsburgh area and has played against, he also knows who his pick is for next Rangers captain.

“I can’t say enough good things about all those guys,” Bonino said. “But about Troch, he’s just a class guy and [has] a great family, and couldn’t go wrong with that pick for sure.”