Standing in front of his locker inside the MSG Training Center after the Rangers' first official on-ice session of training camp on Thursday, Jacob Trouba proclaimed his summer to be a great one.
He made some nice trips.
His artwork was exhibited for the first time in a gallery.
She was able to be with her baby, Axel.
However, the slight uneasiness emanating from Trouba told a different story.
A situation that many athletes go through at least once in their careers.
The Rangers looked to trade their captain early in the offseason and there their captain was on the first day of training camp.
So, from Trouba's perspective, what happened?
“Not a lot, a lot of words,” he said. “I had good communication with the organization throughout. I don’t really have much to comment on. There’s a lot of things that were said and piled up and I don’t know, you’ll have to find out where they came from. If you find out, let me know.”
“I’m very happy to be here. I’m happy to be back in the room with this group and this coaching staff. We have a great opportunity ahead of us this year.”
No, it didn't hurt his feelings.
No, there were no fences to repair.
No, there is no animosity between him and the Rangers management.
This is what the 11-year veteran said.
But no, I probably wouldn't have said otherwise.
Trouba was candid in explaining that he was well aware there was a possibility he could be traded this offseason.
That's what happens when a no-trade clause is amended to a list of 15 teams that can't be traded.
Everything was pretty normal, said Trouba, who went so far as to say that the summer had gone just as he had expected.
The broken ankle that sidelined Trouba for 11 games in March (and presumably hampered him late in the regular season and playoffs) didn't affect his offseason training.
And no, Trouba said the offseason drama doesn't give him an added feeling of disappointment.
Playing with clichés is not Trouba's style.
It has never been that way since the defender entered the Blueshirts' locker room.
Trouba leads by example, and the 30-year-old did just that as usual on Thursday.
He acknowledged how rare and special it is for this Rangers core to have another year to try to win a Stanley Cup together, but continued with what everyone in the organization already knows:
“This is very likely the last crack for this core,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a secret by any means. We’re a group that has grown together, we’ve spent a few years together here and we have something we want to accomplish.”
With one year remaining on his contract after next season, Trouba's $8 million cap hit would be one of the easiest to move and free up space.
The thought process was the same this summer, but will presumably be necessary if next season ends in disappointment once again.
The same applies to many other long-serving Rangers.
For now, the 2024-25 Rangers look a lot like the 2023-24 Rangers, and that includes the captain.
“I wanted to stay here,” Trouba said. “I want to be here. I like living here. I love New York. My family loves it here, as everyone knows by now. I think overall, it’s where I want to be. I’m happy to be here and excited to be back for the start of the season.”
