Jacob Trouba Ends Stalemate with Jets, Rescinds Trade Request

This article originally appeared on VICE Sports Canada.

Another attempt at a bold business move by a young star, and Jacob Trouba is the latest to realize that you can't out-wait an NHL general manager.

The defenceman re-signed with Winnipeg on Monday, ending a six-month standoff between the Jets and the 22-year-old who reportedly asked for a trade out of Winnipeg in May—although it didn't become public until September.

Immediately after inking his new deal, Trouba rescinded his trade request and is now focused on being a Winnipeg Jet—at least for the time being. It's amazing how a few dollars can change your perspective and attitude in a real hurry and make even Winnipeg during winter seem like a desirable destination.

"I've committed to signing here for two years," Trouba said upon reaching his deal. "When I signed that piece of paper, everything changes in my mind. I'm now part of this team and whatever I'm asked to do for these next two years while I'm under contract is what I'm going to do.

"I want to play hockey. I'm a hockey player and I'm extremely happy to be back in the locker room and playing hockey. That's what I love to do. I think that's what every hockey player dreams of, is playing in the NHL, and I have the opportunity to do that."

Trouba, a restricted free agent, had until Dec. 1 to sign a new deal or he would have been ineligible to play in the NHL at all this season. The contract got done, and Trouba isn't second-guessing a business decision that (he feels) was right for him.

"I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but it's money. Whatever. That's not going to make or break my life. I feel good about taking a stand. I don't regret doing what I did. I feel it was the best thing for me to do at the time," said Trouba.

Trouba, when requesting his trade, cited a desire to play defence on his natural right side, instead of the left where head coach Paul Maurice has had him playing for most of his first three NHL seasons. Maurice, who refused to give into Trouba's demands as the situation soured, may be bending on that idea just a little bit.

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports)November 8, 2016

Although it may seem like a major issue when looking in from the outside, the challenge of returning to the dressing room you asked to be traded from is often not as difficult as many think. Players are more educated and involved in the business decision-making process with their agents than ever, and each knows that there's two sides to this sport—the fun side and the money side. Most are able to separate these much easier than many realize.

"I'm sure that there was contact with different players and the like during this time so I don't anticipate that's a problem there." Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said.

This is the second straight campaign that a notable young player has asked for a trade, as the Jonathan Drouin saga with Lightning GM Steve Yzerman was a headline-grabber coming out of Tampa Bay last season. Drouin returned to the team just before the playoffs, as the Lightning needed another forward with Steven Stamkos out due to a blood-clot issue, and he'd later back off his trade request following a strong postseason showing. He's been a regular in the Lightning's top six forwards group ever since.

Trouba, coming off his least productive NHL season—putting up 21 points in 81 games—will earn a pro-rated $2.5 million this season and $3.5 million in 2017-18. He will be eligible for arbitration after the second year, but will still be two years removed from unrestricted free agency.