Red Wings reportedly seeking a transfer for another man from Michigan

Could Jacob Trouba be the next former Michigan Wolverine to join the Detroit Red Wings?

The New York Rangers apparently want to sell the 30-year-old defender and captain in order to create salary space.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that Rangers general manager Chris Drury is “working on a deal to send the captain to the Red Wings, a trade the Michigan native would likely accept after playing for the Wolverines as a rookie during the 2012-13 season.”

Trouba’s contract has two years remaining with an average annual value of $8 million ($12 million total salary). The Post reported that the Rangers could retain $2.5 million per season, which would lower Detroit’s salary cap to $5.5 million.

Trouba (6-3, 209) is a defensive player who impresses with his physical presence and grit. He scored three goals and added 19 assists in 69 games for the Rangers last season.

The Red Wings cleared a spot on their roster and gained $3.4 million in salary cap space earlier this week by trading defenseman Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks. As it stands, they now have seven defensemen expected to make their 2023-24 roster: Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Simon Edvinsson, Ollia Maatta, Justin Holl and prospect Albert Johansson.

The club remains interested in re-signing unrestricted free agent Shayne Gostisbehere as he plays a key role in the improved power play.

Trouba is from Rochester, Michigan, and spent five seasons with the Rangers after six years in Winnipeg, where he was selected ninth overall in 2012. He asked the Jets for a trade in 2018.

Trouba, a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, spent one season at UM in 2012-13. He became the fourth former Michigan player to join the Red Wings, joining Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp and JT Compher.