‘We love him to death’: Mika Zibanejad on Jacob Trouba’s falling out with Rangers

With Friday reports indicating that New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba’s time in Manhattan could be coming to a close, there is no denying he still has plenty of support within the New York locker room.

“That’s a decision between the team and him, from what I’m understanding,” center Mika Zibanejad told Vince Mercogliano of USA Today. “As a player, as a teammate, as a friend and human being, we love him to death.”

Earlier Friday, Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that Trouba will be withheld from the Rangers’ morning skate and will not participate in Friday’s contest versus the Metropolitan Division rival Pittsburgh Penguins for the purposes of roster management.

If the Rangers and general manager Chris Drury are to move on from Trouba, the defenseman will have some say in the process, as per PuckPedia, he carries a 15-team no-trade clause, alongside an $8-million annual average value. Trouba has one full season remaining on his pact, when his no-trade clause also reduces to 12 teams.

Trouba’s name has been in trade speculation for some time, beginning this past offseason and resurfacing in recent weeks when Drury informed his general manager counterparts about the blue-liner’s availability.

Through 24 appearances in 2024-25, Trouba has picked up six points, all coming as assists. The 30-year-old native of Rochester, Mich., wrapped up last season with 22 points counting three goals and 19 assists coming in 69 contests.

The Rangers originally acquired Trouba from the Winnipeg Jets in 2019 in a deal that saw the Blueshirts part with that year’s first-round draft selection plus rearguard Neal Pionk.

On the season, the Rangers sit 13-10-1, good for 27 points and the second wildcard position in the Eastern Conference. Without Trouba in the lineup, the club will look to return to the win column Friday versus the Penguins, coming on the heels of Monday’s 5-1 loss to the rival New Jersey Devils.