Insight: What do the Jets do with Trouba?

Last offseason was an eventful one for Jacob Trouba and the Winnipeg Jets. The 22 year-old, Rochester , MI native withheld his services from the Jets during a lengthy contract squabble. Shortly before the regular season began, Trouba released a statement indicating that he had requested a trade out of Winnipeg. Things blew over, as they often do, and Trouba signed a two-year contract worth $6 million in early November, 2016.

Since then Trouba has been an exemplary teammate and everything the team hoped he’d become. In 2016-17 Trouba broke out in a big way with eight goals and 33 points in 60 games, which put him at a 45 point projection over a full 82 game schedule. After three consecutive 20-30 point seasons on Winnipeg’s blue line, Trouba finally reached the offensive heights expected of him earlier in his career.

Now, with just a year remaining on his deal and another potential contract distraction looming, what do the Jets do with Jacob Trouba? Clearly the young defender can be a big part of a young and fast Jets team moving forward, but is he committed to being in Winnipeg? Did they emergence of players like Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine have any impact on Trouba’s plans for the future? 

If Trouba wants to, he can and will be the future of the Jets on the blue line for the next ten seasons. If however, he can’t get behind the idea of sharing the spotlight with Dustin Byfuglien, at least in the short term, might the Jets consider moving him before he becomes a distraction again?

This offseason will be a telling one for both Trouba and the Jets. Trouba has said all the right things since re-joining the team in November, 2016 but actions speak louder than words. A long-term contract extension would speak louder than any words he could muster.