Jets Jacob Trouba rumors surfacing again and Buffalo might have what it takes

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 4-29-2019


Lyle Richardson of Spector's Hockey brought up a name out of Winnipeg that been in the rumor mill a lot--defenseman Jacob Trouba.

Richardson points to a piece by Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press who gives us 10 morsels to chew on beginning with Trouba. "Look, it's clear [Trouba] doesn't want to be here long-term," wrote McIntyre," which is his right, but the Jets cant' afford to allow him to walk for nothing as an unrestricted free agent next summer."

That's a tough situation to be in for the Jets although Trouba will most definitely bring in a pretty good haul. The centerpiece of that haul might be determined by which direction Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff wants his team to go. Hockeybuzz.com Jets blogger Peter Tessier asked that question in a recent piece. "The first thing to consider is understanding what kind of team the GM is tiring to build," wrote Tessier. "Is it a fast attacking team or a highly skilled one playing a complete game at each end of the ice? Is it something else, one that will grind down the opposition via size and puck control?"  

Winnipeg's Cup-window took a hit with their early playoff exit at the hands of the St. Louis Blues this month and last season they were upset by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals. They head into next season with a projected $55.6 million on the books right now, a lot of holes to fill and two restricted free agents in Patrick Laine and Kyle Connor who are going to eat up a big chunk of their projected cap space (perhaps as much as $17 million, according to Tessier.)