The Rangers have made a big splash on the back end, announcing that they have acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba from the Jets. Going the other way is defenseman Neal Pionk as well as the 20th overall pick in this week’s draft which had been previously acquired from Winnipeg as part of the Kevin Hayes trade.
Trouba is coming off a career year that saw him collect 50 points (8-42-50) while averaging just shy of 23 minutes per game in the regular season. Despite that, there was an expectation that a trade was likely. The 25-year-old held out back in 2016 and had requested a trade at that time before rescinding his request when he signed in November. Even with that, it was believed that he remained hesitant to commit to them long-term, especially after he opted to go through the arbitration process last summer.
It will now be up to Rangers GM Jeff Gorton to get Trouba to commit. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes (Twitter link) that Winnipeg did not grant New York permission to speak to the blueliner about a new deal before the trade was made.
Trouba must be tendered a $5.5MM qualifying offer later this month, one that they will clearly make. It will take considerably more for him to forego testing unrestricted free agency in July 2020 so a long-term deal could approach the $7MM-$8MM mark when all is said and done. That’s a price tag that the Rangers are likely willing to pay as he slots in as their top defenseman right away.
As for Pionk, the Jets are adding a capable blueliner but one that doesn’t have a lot of NHL experience. After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017, he made it to the NHL midway through 2017-18 and played his first full campaign this past season. He fared pretty well, collecting 26 points in 73 games while averaging over 21 minutes a night. That should allow him to step into a prominent role fairly quickly with his new team.
Like Trouba, Pionk is a restricted free agent this summer and is eligible for salary arbitration. Unlike Trouba, he won’t be commanding a massive salary given his relative inexperience. That is notable considering the team still has to sign restricted free agent wingers Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, as well as UFA defenseman Tyler Myers, whose return is much more of a legitimate possibility as a result of this swap. While it wouldn’t be directly tied to this move, Myers could essentially be a part of this trade if he re-signs as it wouldn’t have been possible without Trouba moving first.
With Erik Karlsson and now Trouba off the market (and Myers potentially following suit), the market for right-shot defensemen has drastically been altered in a hurry. With a lack of impact free agent defenders available, expect trade talks to pick up around the league in the coming days.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I was not looking forward to the Rangers getting fleeced in a Trouba trade, but this deal looks more than reasonable and is win-win.
Absolute steal for the Rangers
^ Poink (good prospect) and a 1st is pricey for possibly one year of Trouba. If they resign him to a decent deal it’s a good deal
Certainly not a “steal”
as a ranger fan pionk is garbage. he was one of the worst defensive defenders in all of the Nhl last year
Time to try and trade Shattenkirk/buy out Smith.This trade makes a lot of sense for both clubs.Now Hopefully,it’s Breadman time
Red wings just let a really good opportunity go by.maybe the ask was too high.
Pionk is terrible and not a prospect
Agreed
Fair deal. Rangers taking a chance on resigning him, but I have to believe they’re confident that it will happen. Pionk had a tough year defensively, but he might develop into a decent 5-6 guy for the Jets. Only wish Karlsson hadn’t signed yet. His contract is going to increase Trouba’s price and term.
Imagine trading for your own pick back. Winnipeg has been burned by these rentals
Basically it’s Hayes and pionk for trouba, lemuiex, and a conditional 4th. NYR did well thank god JD is back.
pawtucket. this is a deal if trouba signs with the rangers. if he left as a restricted free agent and signed an offer sheet a team would have been looking at a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd.
If trouba sign bad trade.
^ maybe you’re right. But a 1st for a rebuilding team is heavy
Remember Pasta and Boeser we’re near the 20th pick…
a RD who’s in his prime years is a pretty important thing for a rebuilding team.
I’d hold off on the Shat move (and no one is going to trade for him right now). Moving to the second line and not being the main D guy may help him turn it around. That was his role in St. Louis. I’d give him one more year, even as frustrating as he’s been.
Lot of Ranger fans here
Seems like the Jets should have also gotten a conditional second if he resigns with NYR.
If you look at this deal, the Rangers basically dealt Hayes (free agent) and Pionk (undrafted) for Trouba. I’d say they did well, especially if he’s signed to a reasonable contract.
@forwhomjoshbelltolls – Agreed. Chevy should’ve gotten at least that, since NYR wasn’t allowed to pre-negotiate. I’m not sure I’d be so generous as to say Pionk had a “tough” year defensively, although Shattenkirk is the template for that. The Rangers’ D needs a major rebuild right about now. But, hey, look at the bright side: maybe Trouba will finally be happy in NYR, since it was always dark, always cold and the WiFi sucked in the Peg.
Now, if JD can help get the Breadman there…
Pionk was not NHL caliber last year, he can skate and handle a second power play in a pinch. But defensively he was Attrocius. If he sees time as anything other than a 7D in Winnipeg they are in trouble
When you really look at this trade, it’s almost as it the Rangers traded Pionk and Hayes for Trouba. Basically.
That was Gorton.
Make that Pionk and Hayes for Trouba AND Brendan Lemieux.