Standing at his locker inside MSG Training Center after the Rangers completed their first official on-ice session of training camp on Thursday, Jacob Trouba declared this summer had been amazing.
He went on some great trips.
This is the first time his work has been exhibited in a gallery.
He got to spend time with his son, Axel.
But the slight anxiety exuding from Trouba told a different story.
It's something that many athletes experience at least once in their career.
The Rangers considered trading for their captain earlier in the offseason, and he was traded on the first day of training camp.
So, from Trouba's perspective, what happened?
“Not much, I've said a lot,” he said. “I've always had good communication with the organization. I don't really have much to comment on. A lot of stuff has been said and it's snowballed, I don't know. I'll have to find out where it's coming from. When you find out, let me know.”
“I'm excited to be here. It's good to be back in the room with this team and this coaching staff. I have a great opportunity this year.”
No, I didn't hurt his feelings.
No, there was no fence to repair.
No, there is no animosity between him and Rangers management.
The 11-year veteran said.
But he probably wouldn't have said that.
Trouba was candid in explaining that he was fully aware that he could be traded during the offseason.
That's what would happen if the no-trade clause were changed to a 15-team no-trade list.
Everything has been pretty normal, Trouba said, even going so far as to say the summer unfolded exactly the way he expected it to.
A broken ankle in March forced Trouba to miss 11 games and likely hindered him through the end of the regular season and into the playoffs, but it didn't affect his offseason training.
And Trouba said he won't be further stressed by the offseason drama.
Dwelling on clichés is not Trouba's style.
That hasn't happened since the defenseman walked into the Blueshirts locker room.
Leading by example is Trouba's modus operandi and the 30-year-old did just that on Thursday as usual.
He acknowledged how rare and special it is that the Rangers' core members will have another year together trying to win a Stanley Cup, but then stated what everyone in the organization already knows.
“This is probably the last crack at this core,” he said. “I don't think it's a secret by any means. We're a group that's grown together, we've been here together for years, and we have things we want to accomplish.”
With one year remaining on his contract after this season, Trouba's $8 million salary cap hit makes him one of the easiest players to move to free up space.
The thinking was the same this summer but will likely be necessary if the upcoming campaign ends in disappointment again.
That goes for other long-time Rangers as well.
For now, the 2024-25 Rangers team looks very similar to the 2023-24 Rangers team, captain and all.
“I wanted to stay here,” Trouba said. “I want to stay here. I love living here. I love New York. My family loves it here, as everybody knows. Overall, I think this is where I want to be. I'm happy to be here and I'm excited to be back for the start of the season.”
