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As Trade Winds Swirl Anew, Could Jacob Trouba Make Sense for Red Wings?

This morning, The Athletic's Arthur Staple reported that the New York Rangers would be scratching captain Jacob Trouba for this evening's game in a "roster management" move aimed to set up a trade, suggesting that the Michigan-born defenseman has played his last game as a Ranger.

Apr 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) and Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) battle for the puck during the second period at Little Caesars Arena<p>Tim Fuller, Imagn Images</p>
Apr 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) and Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) battle for the puck during the second period at Little Caesars Arena

Tim Fuller, Imagn Images

Per Staple, should New York prove unable to find a trade partner that Trouba (who has a 15-team no trade clause) approves of, the Rangers would be prepared to put their captain on waivers.  Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman described the circumstances as "absolute hardball," further affirming that Trouba's tenure in New York has reached its conclusion.

Over the summer, The New York Post's Larry Brooks suggested that the Rangers and Detroit Red Wings were on the brink of a deal to send Trouba back to his home state.  Obviously, that deal didn't come to fruition, but now that Trouba is even more definitively on the block, could the move make sense for Detroit?

In the featured video above, I took stock of Trouba's potential fit with the Red Wings.  I don't think there's much doubt that Trouba could help Detroit, bringing a defensive profile that is unique in the modern NHL.  The question, as ever, boils down to price.  Can Detroit satisfy the Rangers' desire for a shake-up while also making the money work both ways and improving its own roster?

It's possible, though it certainly wouldn't be easy.  Still, what would intrigue me most about a potential Trouba deal is that the Rangers seem intent on making an emotional trade to shake their stagnation.  Those circumstances seem likely to produce something rash and reckless, and, at the right price, that could be a great dynamic for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to pounce upon as he looks to keep moving h his team forward on the treacherous journey out of a rebuild.

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