Friedman on Trouba
Cole may be of the depth defenseman variety, but one higher-profile blueliner that could see his name appear in more trade-related chatter as the season progresses is Jacob Trouba of the Winnipeg Jets.
The 23-year-old rearguard can become a restricted free agent this summer when his two-year contract runs out, and until (or if) an extension is signed we could see potential trade storylines re-emerge.
He’d be a hot commodity around the league again, he doesn’t have any trade protection in his contract, and he’ll also be eligible for arbitration should it come to it.
“The one thing I really do believe is I think he does like playing in Winnipeg,” observed Friedman. “I think the only times that he gets frustrated are when he gets moved to the other side. So last year when Myers was hurt and him and Byfuglien were eating up all the time on the right side, I was told he was really happy.
“That to me is the big thing, is what’s the contract going to be. Are they going to be able to extend him to a point where we’re not talking about this every day. That’s going to be the challenge.
“I think he’s playing really well. I really like that team. I think they’ve got a lot of really good players, especially young ones. Laine is going to be the interesting one in terms of what they’re going to have to pay him. But I think they’ve got a lot of really good young players. I like Scheifele’s contract. I like Ehlers’ contract. Myers’, although it’s long term, it’s a very team-friendly contract in terms of money.
“I just think on Trouba they let it play out. They see how they do, and they take a stab at signing him long term. And I think they’ll see if they can do it.
“But the one thing I really find about him – and I’ve heard it from many people – is that as long as he gets to play the right side and he gets a lot of minutes, he’s not a guy who’s got a problem. It’s when he gets moved to the other side is that he starts to get upset, and that’s when he’s not happy about playing there.”