Jacob Trouba: 'A Rite of Passage to Get Fired at MSG' After Rangers Trade to Ducks

Former New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba told reporters it was "a rite of passage" to be traded on Friday to the Anaheim Ducks.

"It's a rite of passage to get fired from MSG," Trouba said, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

The Rangers traded Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in a deal that cleared up cap space to sign star goaltender Igor Shesterkin to a record-breaking extension.

Trouba, who had already been scratched from Friday night's home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the trade, said he believed the team mishandled the transaction.

"My opinion is things could have been handled better. Not blaming anybody or anything, just kind of how it happened I felt was kind of an unfortunate ending to a lot of good times in New York," Trouba said, per Sportsnet.

Trouba had a 15-team no-trade clause on his contract, which he had reportedly used to block trades to the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.

He confirmed to reporters on Friday that the Rangers had told him he would be waived if he did not agree to a trade.

"It was a threat," Trouba said, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Trouba did not want to leave New York in part because his wife, Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba, is completing a residency at an area hospital, according to the New York Post's Larry Brooks.

However, Trouba told reporters on Friday that Anaheim "was one of the places my wife and I were interested in."

Trouba's effectiveness on defense has decreased over the last three seasons, capped off by his struggles during the 2024 postseason.

The trade meant the Rangers could re-sign Shesterkin and shake up the roster after the team's 13-10-1 start to the season, while Trouba will get a fresh start on the West Coast.