I don't really know what the rumours say but there's too much smoke and nuanced talk from parties to ignore the the issue of Jacob Trouba and his roll with the Jets. Let's start with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and his end of season media address.
You can watch it here by clicking on Cheveldayoff on the videos and scrolling to the 4:20 markas the NHL has no longer allowed embedding of videos from it's websites. To summarize this is what is said:
From Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun- "Are you trying to trade Jacob Trouba?"
Trying to trade Jacob Trouba? I think that this is again an interesting time of the year. I've see lots of different scenarios out there, teams that are pushing hard that I haven't even heard from and I've heard, talked to different teams and asked different questions that I've certainly asked myself. I'm not trying to trade anybody, I think though in this game there's a distinct possibility that anybody can get traded, and you know again, we've got some good young players here. We've got two of them that are up for contracts in Trouba and Scheifele and we're going to do our best to get those contracts done in the books so, trying to trade him, no.
He goes on to answer a question about negotiations with Trouba and says it's best to leave that between the parties.
So what does that mean? Where does that leave the situation with the player and his agent Kurt Overhardt?
The agent was on the Hustler and Lawless show last week and was very open about his client wanting to stay in Winnipeg and willing to sign there. That there was no issue with the city of the team. So again, where does that leave the issue of Jacob Trouba and his future with the Winnipeg Jets?
I'd say that both sides took an agreed upon approach to smooth over the masses and redirect focus elsewhere. It's a smart move and one that makes sense for several reasons.
First- there is hopefully some pressure taken away from the situation and the two parties can talk freely without having to be wary or rumours or leaks.
Second- it allows dialogue to happen in many aspects without the player or the team feeling slighted by the other. If Chevy wants to listen to offers he can and if Overhardt wants to help work a deal for Trouba he can too and no one gets upset.
Third- Teams can call and discuss things knowing that both sides are not feeling animosity to one another.
Fourth- Any leaks or noise that happens is coming from somewhere else not these two and that's always good to know who can be trusted and who can't.
I know, get to the point Tessier. Here's where the probability part comes in with Trouba. I'd say it's 50/50 that he signs a deal and it will be one that is longer than a bridge deal and will give team and player options for future trades.
Chevy does not have to trade him and can simply find a way sign him and Trouba can do what other players who use Overhardt do, hold out. See Johansen and Turris. That last bit comes with a bit of risk to him and the player and one can see how well that strategy worked out for Drouin.
At the end Chevy probably knows where that number is right not to get the deal done but before he goes there he wants to make sure every possible deal is shaken out from every tree before he gets to a contract. On the other side I don't think Trouba and his camp are opposed to that either so thus the wait and dance goes on.
50/50 which gives me a pretty good chance go being right one way or another.