Jacob Trouba’s Agent Speaks, Teams Make Roster Cuts & More

by

With unsigned restricted free agent Jacob Trouba publicly requesting a trade, the NHL world has been sent into a frenzy. While there is a lot of speculation about the reasoning behind Trouba’s demands, his agent, Kurt Overhardt, spoke with TSN 1290 in Winnipeg Monday to get the record straight.

The announcement that we made on Saturday was not done unadvisedly. I think it shows the conviction of a young man who’s got a set of values where he wants to have the opportunity to realize his potential. And after several conversations with people in Winnipeg about this, we just don’t feel – based on the outstanding depth they have on the right side – that that opportunity is going to be afforded.

We’ve been having discussions with the club since May about this particular issue – only about this issue. We have a lot of respect for (general manager) Kevin Cheveldayoff and the ownership group there, and I think it’s pretty much a private matter.

But coming all the way to camp – and especially now that the World Cup’s over for Jacob and the North American team – we just thought it was necessary to be transparent and explain why he is not at camp.

– Kurt Overhardt

It’s clear that Trouba’s primary focus is a fair opportunity to play in a situation in which he can thrive. Unfortunately, the Winnipeg Jets have established talent in the right defense position securely bolstering the team’s top-four, and Trouba has ultimately decided that it would be in his best interest to take his talents elsewhere. Many teams are interested, but the asking price is expected to be steep.

NHL Roster Cuts

While many players are looking to showcase their abilities this preseason, there are inevitably players who won’t make NHL, or even AHL rosters this year. It’s one of the hardest parts of being an NHL general manager, but it’s also necessary to produce the best possible team on the ice for the present and often the future, with strategic transactions that allow for players to flourish at the NHL level or develop elsewhere.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues transferred ten players from its roster, general manager Doug Armstrong announced Monday. Seven of the players cut from camp were sent to the Blues’ AHL affiliate the Chicago Wolves. Those sent to the AHL include Emerson Clark, Bryce Gervais, Wade Megan, Brett Sterling, Dmitrii Sergeev, Charles Vaughan, and Gus Young.

The remaining three cuts were Liam Dunda, Tanner Kaspick, and Evan Fitzpatrick, who will be returning to the Owen Sound Attack, Brandon Wheat Kings, and Sherbrooke Phoenix, respectively.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks made six roster cuts. Each player will return to their respective junior team, including

Rodrigo Abols being sent back to Portland of the WHL; Brett McKenzie being sent back to North Bay of the OHL; Jako Stukel to Calgary of the WHL; Cole Candella to Hamilton of the OHL; Tate Olson to Prince George of the WHL; and Carl Neill to Sherbrooke of the QMJHL.

Ottawa Senators Announce New AHL Affiliate

The Ottawa Senators announced some big news for their franchise moving forward, Monday. Team owner Eugene Melnyk announced that he had purchased the AHL franchise currently residing in Binghampton, New York, and as of the 2017-18 season, would be moving it to Belleville.

Our city has a long a storied history with junior hockey but today we welcome professional hockey to Belleville and our soon to be renovated Yardmen Arena. Our city not only gets an AHL team but an incredible working partnership with the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators and its long time owner Eugene Melnyk. Geographically, our relative proximity to the nation’s capital makes this a tremendously exciting partnership that will undoubtedly bring our cities and our hockey fans together, United in Red.

– Taso Christopher, Mayor of Belleville

Senators’ owner Melnyk had this to say:

Hockey is back in Belleville. The people of Belleville are a deeply passionate and proud hockey community. This community has truly earned the return of hockey and I am committed to making the Belleville Senators an integral part of the city. I want to personally thank the Mayor, Councillors and City staff for their hard work in helping bring the Senators to Belleville. This is the dawn of new era of hockey in Belleville and we are excited to be part of it.

– Eugene Melnyk

This news is big for the city of Belleville as well, given the fact that the OHL franchise Belleville Bulls had just moved to Hamilton in 2015. The team was in existence from 1981 until 2015 in the OHL and paved the way for players such as Doug Gilmour, Jason Spezza, P.K. Subban, Marty McSorley, and many other NHL players, both past, and present.

Odds and Ends

– Preseason hockey is underway, and some highlight reel goals have already been scored.