The only way the return is not really good is if he can’t come to terms on a deal with a team that wants to acquire him in a trade. We saw that was possible with Stone far closer to free agency. Trouba would hate to get injured next season and miss cashing in on his 50 to 60 million dollar payday.
Someone is going to want to make a big trade and get him signed. If Trouba is 100% committed to becoming a UFA then our return will be less.
Agree. I think it's quite likely that Trouba will be looking to cash in with a new team ASAP. He's been working with lower than market value contracts over the past few seasons. If Trouba really wants out, I think the Jets will identify a few teams that Trouba would be happy to sign on with long term, and then negotiate the best trade possible. I could see a few teams that fit the bill, in that they have a real need for a top-pairing RD and have been rebuilding for a while, so they'll be looking to step forward and might be willing to give up futures to take the next step forward.
It would only take two or three of these teams having a substantial interest to generate a good return.
Here is a list of potential suitors, with some possible futures trade chips:
Isles (mid-1st, Wilde,
Rangers (mid-1st, Lundkvist, Miller)
Wings (high 1st, Hronek)
Panthers (1st, Borgstrom)
Flyers (1st, Frost, Farabee)
Yotes (1st, ?)
