Trouba Thinks This Is The Last Crack For Rangers' Core

New York Rangers' captain Jacob Trouba is expecting one last deep run with this core group as he stated that "(It's) an opportunity that we have in front of us that in all likelihood will probably be the last crack for this core."

This Rangers core has gotten this team to the Conference Finals two of the past three seasons, but no further. There were a lot of trade rumors surrounding Trouba in the offseason, even reportedly being asked to give the team his 15-team no trade list, but no move involving the captain was made for one reason or another.

Trouba has two years left on his deal, same with Artemi Panarin and Braden Schneider (RFA). But there are a handful more impactful core players who will have contracts ending at the conclusion of this upcoming season that will in all likelihood force changes to the lineup.

Players with contracts ending after the 2024-25 season include Igor Shesterkin (UFA), Ryan Lindgren (UFA), Alexis Lafreniere (RFA), K'Andre Miller (RFA), and even Kaapo Kakko (RFA), Jonathan Quick (UFA), Reilly Smith (UFA), Matt Rempe (RFA), Will Cuylle (RFA), and Jimmy Vesey (UFA).

The cap isn't going up enough to allow for the Rangers to keep everyone, especially since some players deserve a raise like Shesterkin, Lafreniere, and Miller, and it isn't going to be cheap. Trouba likely sees his contract number and a ton of players around him needing new deals and knows the end for the core group is coming soon.

There isn't any doubt that the Rangers can get back to the final four as they are a strong group in every area, there has just been a little better. It would be a shame if this excellent group couldn't even reach the Stanley Cup Final with all of the expectations surrounding them, but at the same time Trouba's comments might indicate that last bit of effort needed to go all the way. It will be an interesting next year for the Rangers at the very least.