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So we can start the watch on the Rangers’ interest in Winnipeg’s pending free-agent right defenseman Jacob Trouba manifesting itself in trade talks, the Jets having been KO’d in six by the Blues.
Winnipeg, the organization that built almost exclusively through the draft, is about to get hammered. Trouba, who had an extremely contentious second-contract negotiation that bled into the start of 2016-17, is a Group II with salary-arbitration rights; wingers Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor are Group II’s without arbitration rights who will nevertheless command massive increases coming off entry-level contracts; and defenseman Tyler Myers is a pending UFA.
Trouba, who turned 25 in late February, is likely to command $7 million a year. The Rangers will be among those wanting to give it to him.
This, I believe, would suit the Blueshirts just fine on their 2019-20 right side: 1. Trouba; 2. Adam Fox; 3A. Tony DeAngelo; 3B. Neal Pionk.
Asked Trouba if he plays a role in helping the Jets stay under the salary cap this upcoming season, he responds, “that’s Chevy’s job.”
— Sean Reynolds (@snseanreynolds) April 22, 2019
So essentially, a hometown discount is not likely.
Who says no?
— David Shapiro (@BlueSeatBlogs) April 21, 2019
To NYR: Trouba (with extension), Perrault (2x$4.125m, 0% retained)
to WPG: Pionk (RFA), Vesey, WPG's 2019 1st, TBL 2019 2nd, (cap space needed to re-sign Laine/Connor from including Perrault at full, CAP SPACE IS AN ASSET!)
Of course the contract must be negotiated, but Mats Zuccarello remaining in Dallas seems like a pretty reasonable proposition as long as the Stars are willing to cede their 2020 first-rounder to the Rangers as compensation.
Zuccarello, immediately both productive and popular, would presumably demand a no-move clause to protect him against exposure to the 2021 Seattle expansion draft but that should not be an issue, the Stars appearing not to have protection problems.
Mats Zuccarello is a perfect complement for the @DallasStars' already stellar top line https://t.co/wfhY4ED5st pic.twitter.com/6QkDOWORDt
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 22, 2019
Zuccarello off to DAL, pending trade call, in exchange for 2nd round pick in 2019 and third round pick in 2020. The 2nd rounder becomes a first if DAL wins two playoff rounds. The 3rd becomes a first if DAL re-signs Zuccarello. https://t.co/umLH9n0IIQ
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 24, 2019
Remember, the Rangers will get Dallas’ first round pick in the June draft if the Stars get to the Western Conference Final and Mats Zuccarello plays in at least 50 percent of Dallas’ playoff games. Zuccarello will hit that condition of the trade if he plays Game 1 vs. STL.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 23, 2019