Trouba now stands alone
Last high-profile restricted free agent unsigned after Lindholm re-ups
DENVER The clock is ticking and this high stakes game of chicken between Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets continues to drag on.
When news broke Thursday morning that fellow defenceman Hampus Lindholm re-upped with the Anaheim Ducks on a six-year deal carrying an average annual value of $5.25 million, thoughts naturally turned to Trouba.
Trouba is now the last of the high-profile restricted free agents still without a contract.
And while things could obviously change with one phone call, all signs point to this situation dragging out a while longer.
“Status quo,” agent Kurt Overhardt, who represents Trouba, said Thursday afternoon. “Nothing has changed. The document we put out still stands.”
The document Overhardt is referring to is the press release he sent out on Sept. 24, the one which said Trouba requested a trade back in May and isn’t interested in playing on the left side (his off side).
While it’s possible Trouba and his camp could have a change of heart if a trade hasn’t been worked out before the Dec. 1 deadline for restricted free agents to sign in order to be eligible to play in the NHL this season, it’s obvious the preferred next step for the ninth overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft is to see his rights traded to another club.
The Jets, who are back in action Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche, could obviously use Trouba’s services right now, but the skilled defenceman would prefer to play elsewhere — especially somewhere he could play the right side and possibly work his way onto the power play.
Trouba is a competitor who would rather be playing games than training and skating in his home state of Michigan, but he had to know going into this process that missing games was an option if he hoped to find himself with a new organization.
Just like being without Trouba at the start of the season didn’t take the Jets by surprise.
“There’s no frustration because we saw this one coming down the pipe,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice told reporters in Winnipeg after the morning skate Thursday. “He’s not in the room and that’s a big factor in terms of the (potential) distraction.
“(Trouba) is a great player. We look forward to having him back and we’d like to get it done. But there’s no gnashing of teeth in the room every day about him.”
That may be true, but the absence of Trouba has surely contributed to the Jets’ slow start.
And while nobody is suggesting the Jets cave in and move Trouba just to resolve this issue, the longer it drags on, the better chance it could become a distraction — no matter what the Jets are saying publicly.
Since Trouba has supposedly been on the market since May, it’s obvious Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has not received an offer he can’t refuse yet.
The asking price is high, as it should be for a top-10 pick with plenty of upside.
There are obviously teams interested in acquiring Trouba’s services, but not only do they have to meet the Jets’ asking price, they need the available salary cap space to sign him.
Not many top-end contenders have up to $5.5 million of cap room right now, which is likely what it will cost unless Trouba takes a twoyear bridge deal.
With an expansion draft coming in June, the Jets also have to be selective in what they take in return for Trouba — should they ultimately decide to move him.
For now, things remain at a standstill.
Tires will be kicked and offers will be sent Cheveldayoff ’s way.
Clearly, there’s a deal to be made if a team is serious enough about acquiring Trouba.
And if the Jets don’t budge or lower the asking price, don’t rule out Trouba returning in late November on a one-year deal that prevents him from playing overseas this season.
While not optimal, the reality is it could be easier to move Trouba next summer after the expansion draft has been held.
Ultimately, a short-term reunion might end up being mutually beneficial — even if that’s what neither side wants.
So sit tight and be patient, as there will probably be several more twists and turns to come before this situation gets sorted out.