Jacob Trouba’s contract negotiations with the Winnipeg Jets have taken a sour turn. The restricted free agent was set to begin camp without a contract, but Trouba has requested a trade from the Jets organization.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]In a statement obtained by Sportsnet.ca, Trouba’s agent Kurt Overhardt said the request was more about opportunity than money.
“Our client, Jacob Trouba, will not be attending the Winnipeg Jets NHL training camp. Since May, we have been working with the Jets management in an effort to facilitate a trade of Jacob’s rights. Both parties continue to work on this matter.
“There has been no negotiation regarding the terms of a contract between our client and the Jets over the course of the last several months. The situation is not about money; it is solely about our client having the opportunity to realize his potential as a right shot NHL defenseman.”
“To the Jets credit, the club has two outstanding right shot veteran defensemen and our client simply wants the opportunity to have a greater role. As a consequence of the Jets depth on the right side, we believe it is in both parties’ best interest to facilitate a mutually advantageous trade.”
“Our client has nothing but respect for the people and City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Jets, its fans, management and ownership – our desire to get him moved has everything to do with opportunity. We will continue to work with the Jets in good faith to achieve this end.”
The outstanding defensemen Trouba’s agent is referring to is Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers – both of whom ranked first and second in time on ice for the Jets and are under contract for beyond next season. Without seeing an immediate opportunity, Trouba wants to explore his options elsewhere.
Teams will be lining up to trade for the 22-year-old. Despite receiving the sixth-fewest offensive zone faceoff starts among Jets defensemen (31.3% per Hockey Analysis), Trouba potted 21 points. His offensive game would blossom with an expanded role. There’s no reason he couldn’t slot into any team’s top pair. The asking price from the Jets will be huge, but whoever acquires Trouba add a tremendously talented defenseman.
