Who Might Be the Next Rangers Captain After Jacob Trouba
With the Toronto Maple Leafs preparing to name Auston Matthews as their new captain, replacing John Tavares, it highlights a similar decision looming for the New York Rangers in the near future.
Jacob Trouba is entering his third season as the Rangers’ captain and is signed through 2025-26. However, with the Rangers attempting to trade Trouba this offseason—only for him to block the move with his 15-team no-trade clause—questions arise about whether this will be his final season with the team.
Given the Rangers’ upcoming salary cap constraints and the need to re-sign key free agents Igor Shesterkin (UFA), Alexis Lafreniere (RFA), and K’Andre Miller (RFA) to potentially costly new contracts, Trouba’s $8 million average annual salary may be too high to accommodate.
This situation suggests that the Rangers might part ways with Trouba, who recently received the 2024 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. This contrasts with Toronto’s approach, where Matthews, coming off a 69-goal season, is being promoted to captain with Tavares remaining on the roster for now.
It would be surprising if Trouba were to be removed as captain before October, especially given reports of locker room dissatisfaction over how Trouba and alternate captain Barclay Goodrow were handled this offseason.
If Trouba does remain through the 2025-26 season, it will be the final year of his contract. Thus, the Rangers are likely to seek a new captain either next offseason or the one after.
Potential candidates to succeed Trouba include:
Adam Fox As a Norris Trophy winner and a key leader already holding an alternate captain role, Fox is a strong candidate. Signed through 2028-29, he bridges the gap between veteran stars and the next generation of Rangers players.
Chris Kreider The longest-tenured active Ranger, Kreider is a respected veteran and team leader. Although he has served as an alternate captain and may have missed his earlier chance to be captain, he remains a strong candidate, especially if he continues to excel.
Vincent Trocheck Though new to the team, Trocheck has shown leadership qualities both on and off the ice. His high-effort play and engagement with teammates make him a compelling candidate, despite his shorter tenure with the Rangers.
Other Potential Candidates
Mika Zibanejad A key player and long-tenured Ranger, Zibanejad could be considered, though he is less known for his leadership presence.
Jacob Trouba The former No. 1 overall pick is an intriguing option if he continues to develop and secure a long-term deal.
K’Andre Miller A rising star on defense, Miller has leadership potential and could become the first Black captain for the Rangers, adding to the team’s diversity and inclusivity.
Each candidate brings different strengths, but with Trouba’s future uncertain, the Rangers will need to consider their options carefully.
