Rangers’ scratch defensemen might replace the team captain in 2024.
The New York Rangers have a Jacob Trouba issue. Trouba, the team’s captain since 2022, failed so badly in the postseason that he was labeled a “liability”.
Trouba was on the ice for 17 of the Rangers’ 35 goals allowed in the final two rounds of the playoffs against Carolina and Florida, and he led the league with 11 penalties, according to Vince Mercogliano of Lohud.
The Blueshirts have to be concerned about relying on Trouba in the 2024 season. As rumors about a buyout intensifies, the Rangers can look to their bench for a possible Trouba replacement next season.
The Rangers might give Zac Jones a chance in 2024.
Instead of relying on Trouba to turn things around next season, the Blueshirts might turn to Zac Jones, one of the best healthy scratches on the bench. Jones earned significant playing time in the NHL last season, but he was unable to secure a full-time starting role.
Jones appeared in 31 games with the Blueshirts in 2023-24, scoring nine points (two goals and seven assists) while maintaining a +/- rating of +1. Jones, a third-round pick in 2019, is 23 years old and is poised for a breakout season with more playing time in 2024-25.
Jones is a 5-foot-10, 179-pound defenceman who skates well and adds energy on the offensive end. He scored 31 points in 54 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack during the 2022-23 season. The Rangers will hope Jones can provide a similar spark in their defensive partnerships next season
Trouba’s future on Broadway has become uncertain. The Rangers’ season ended in disappointment, but Trouba’s season was a complete disappointment. He finished with 22 points in 69 games and a -4 rating despite suffering with ailments throughout the regular season.
.With $12 million remaining on Trouba’s base salary, a buyout may become an option this offseason. According to CapFriendly, buying out Trouba would result in $4 million in savings for the Rangers this season. These wages might be reinvested in the defensive core or used to recruit a first-line right wing.
If the Rangers buy out Trouba, Jones will be able to become a regular in the lineup and eventually replace the captain as one of the team’s best defenseman.
