The cat is out of the bag. As per a release from his agent Kurt Overhardt, Winnipeg Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba has requested a trade.
Furthermore, the statement reveals that both parties have been working on a trade since May, and not participating in contract negotiations. This despite general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff claiming earlier today that talks were ongoing (though perhaps Chevy’s been purposefully vague all along; everyone simply assumed "talks" meant extending Trouba).
Here’s the statement from Jacob Trouba’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, on requesting a trade from #NHLJets pic.twitter.com/tBWm3PLudL
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) September 24, 2016
Wanting to play on the right side is presented as the 22-year-old's driving motivator, seemingly confirming long-standing speculation. And with Winnipeg’s d-corps, it’s a matter of opportunity as much as it is side. Playing on the right meant competing with both Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers on a nightly basis. Yes, it also often translated into playing with Mark Stuart, but one doesn’t even need to go there to see the issue of depth.
So what’s next? Trouba will not be attending training camp, and now the general public knows what at least some NHL GMs were already aware of. Let the speculation begin on possible destinations, and how the market for Trouba has been affected, if at all.
At this point, several teams are interested in Trouba. No surprise.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 24, 2016
If proposed returns don’t match Chevy’s asking price, might this head in a Kyle Turris-esque direction (even some of the language used is similar)? Following Turris’ trade request, the then-Phoenix Coyotes dug in their heels. It was only after signing Turris to a two-year deal, providing Phoenix on-ice security, that the Coyotes traded him to Ottawa.
After Overhardt's release, a response from the Winnipeg Jets organization was inevitable. If nothing else, Cheveldayoff sounds resolute in his follow-up statement.
#NHLJets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff statement regarding Jacob Trouba. pic.twitter.com/5dFEvGS5ce
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) September 25, 2016
Between "important part of the long-term future" and "in the best interest of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club", the message received is that going public won't force Chevy's hand. If history has taught us anything, it’s that Winnipeg's general manager is willing to wait until his ask is met.
Should this situation drag out, it’ll be interesting to see who blinks.
