The New York Rangers came close to trading Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in a deal that could have seen star defenseman Cam Fowler head the other way. However, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Rangers GM Chris Drury ultimately opted against including Fowler, choosing to prioritize salary cap flexibility over adding the veteran defenseman.
“Anaheim wanted Fowler in this deal, and I’m sure Fowler wanted it too,” Friedman shared on the “32 Thoughts” podcast. “But in the end, New York wanted flexibility for both this year and next.”
Fowler, who has a $6.5 million cap hit through the 2025-26 season, would have been an ideal replacement for Trouba in the Rangers’ lineup, adding veteran experience to their defense. Instead, Drury opted for a more cost-effective return, acquiring Urho Vaakanainen ($1.1 million cap hit) and a 2025 fourth-round pick. This allowed the Rangers to clear Trouba’s $8 million cap hit, setting the stage for Igor Shesterkin’s record $92 million contract extension.
The move has generated debate, especially considering that Trouba is the team’s captain. Trouba revealed that the Rangers had presented him with the “threat” of being waived if he didn’t agree to the trade, a move Friedman described as “legal but forceful.” “What they did was perfectly legal, but it was definitely a forceful tactic,” Friedman remarked. “They applied pressure, but he didn’t have a no-move clause.”
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