Top 25 Under 25 –
#2 – Jacob Trouba
6’3” 202 lbs – Defence – Shoots Right
NHL 2018-2019 Season: 14 GP – 1G – 6A – 7PTS – 16PIM
NHL 2017-2018 Season: 55 GP – 3G – 21A – 24PTS – 34PIM
NHL Career Stats: 340 GP – 35G – 101A – 136PTS – 255PIM
The seemingly never ending speculation as to whether or not Jacob Trouba will be in Winnipeg Jets colours for the long term, or whether he wants to be, cannot and should not take away from an undeniable fact.
Jacob Trouba is very good at hockey.
The 24-year-old is now in his sixth season with the Jets, and his defensive play saw him leapfrog over Dustin Byfuglien to be the best right-handed defender of the team. His offensive numbers are not like that of Big Buff, but his defensive play against the best of the best is typically terrific. Alongside Josh Morrissey, he is part of one of the best defensive pairings in the league.
It seems like perception of his play gets downgraded due to his lack of enthusiasm about staying in Winnipeg. His trade request and holdout in September of 2016 still leave a sour taste in the mouth of many Jets fans, as does his indication that he wanted to sign in Winnipeg long-term, but such a contract was not met before the two sides went to arbitration this past summer. But whether or not the rest of Trouba’s career is spent in Winnipeg, he will still be a very good player.
As has been the case with a few names on the top 25 list, Trouba is approaching restricted free agency in the coming off-season, and a decision will have to be made: sign long-term, or be shipped elsewhere. Because losing a player of Trouba’s quality to unrestricted free-agency when he turns 26 is just an unacceptable outcome.
