NHL: New York Rangers at Calgary Flames - Source: Imagn — Elliotte Friedman reveals Anaheim Ducks tried to include Cam Fowler in Jacob Trouba trade (Source: Imagn)

NHL rumors: Elliotte Friedman claims Rangers rejected $52,000,000 Ducks D-man in Jacob Trouba trade

Modified Dec 10, 2024 13:41 GMT

The Anaheim Ducks traded for Jacob Trouba from the New York Rangers, giving up Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick. Trouba will debut on Monday in Montreal. His arrival adds depth to the Ducks defense.

Elliotte Friedman shared on his 32 Thoughts podcast that Anaheim initially wanted to include Cam Fowler in the trade. Fowler, who is signed to an eight-year, $52 million contract, has a cap hit of $6.5 million. The Rangers reportedly rejected the idea due to Fowler’s contract, as they wanted salary flexibility this season and next.

“I heard that Anaheim wanted Fowler in this deal. I have no doubt Fowler wanted to be in this deal," Friedman said (via 32 TP). "It’s been out there: he wants to be traded, he wants to play for a contender. I never heard Vatrano’s name in it, but I did hear Fowler’s. At the end of the day, they couldn’t get it done. I think one of the reasons is New York wanted the flexibility for both this year and next.”

Fowler’s no-trade clause allows him to approve moves to just four teams. However, he has shown interest in expanding that list. Friedman suggested that Fowler could be traded during the season, as he is respected around the league and likely to attract interest.

The Ducks face a crowded blueline, particularly on the left side, where Fowler competes with several young prospects.

Jacob Trouba’s addition makes managing ice time even harder for the Ducks. The team must find a way to balance veteran presence and developing young talent. According to Friedman, Anaheim will likely need to make more moves to address this situation.

Jacob Trouba trade legal but forceful says Elliotte Friedman

The New York Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba and cleared his $8 million cap hit. Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the move unsettled players, especially given Jacob Trouba’s leadership role. Friedman noted the process was legal but called it “forceful.”

"It's not like the Rangers broke any laws." Friedman said (via 32TP). "What they did was perfectly legal. It was forceful, and we can all judge. They applied the pressure to him. He did not have a no-move clause."

The decision has raised concerns about how contracts are handled. The Rangers, now 14-12-1, lost to the Blackhawks, on Monday.