With the Toronto Maple Leafs changing their captaincy this season, with Auston Matthews taking over from John Tavares, it brings to mind that the New York Rangers have a similar decision approaching in the near future.
Jacob Trouba is entering his third season as the Rangers’ captain and is under contract until 2025-26. However, after this offseason, when the Rangers tried to trade Trouba but were blocked by his 15-team no-trade clause, it’s reasonable to wonder if this might be his last season in New York.
The Rangers are expected to face salary cap challenges next offseason, especially with the need to sign free agents like Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere, and K’Andre Miller to significant new contracts. Given Trouba’s $8 million annual cap hit, it’s hard to see how he fits into their future financial plans.
This likely means the Rangers will have to part ways with their captain, who recently won the 2024 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.
The situation differs from Toronto’s, where the Maple Leafs, under a new coach and aiming for a fresh start after multiple early playoff exits, are promoting Matthews following his 69-goal season, while Tavares will remain on the roster.
It would be surprising if Trouba were stripped of his captaincy before the season starts, and it likely wouldn’t be a wise move given the reported dissatisfaction in the locker room over how Trouba and alternate captain Barclay Goodrow, who was placed on waivers, were treated this offseason.
Tavares is reportedly fully supportive of the leadership transition to Matthews, but a similar move with the Rangers might stir up more controversy and tension.
Instead, it’s more likely that the Rangers will explore trading Trouba after this season, when his no-trade list reduces from 15 teams to 12 after July 1, 2025.
Even if Trouba stays with the Rangers for the 2025-26 season, it will be the final year of his contract, meaning the team will likely be searching for a new captain either next offseason or the one after.
Best candidates to succeed Trouba as captain
Remember, the Rangers aren’t obligated to make any immediate decisions regarding their captaincy. After trading former captain Ryan McDonagh in the 2017-18 season, they went four and a half seasons without anyone wearing the “C.”
However, the Rangers have several strong internal candidates who could eventually succeed Trouba as captain.
Let’s explore the top choices.
Adam Fox
While pinpointing the exact face of the Rangers is challenging, Adam Fox is undeniably in the conversation. The star defenseman, who won the Norris Trophy in 2020-21, has consistently ranked among the top five in voting since his rookie season.
Beyond his on-ice achievements, Fox has taken on more of a leadership role, joining the alternate captain rotation this season. Though there are more seasoned veterans to choose from, the 26-year-old is stepping up, with his contract extending through the 2028-29 season.
Fox plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the talented veteran core of Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad—all now in their thirties—and the next generation of players like Alexis Lafrenière and K’Andre Miller.
A native of Long Island, Fox maneuvered his way to New York and clearly has a deep passion for playing with the Rangers. It wouldn’t be surprising if he spends the majority, if not the entirety, of his career with the team, providing long-term consistency in the captaincy.
Notably, the Rangers haven’t had a superstar captain since Jaromir Jagr held the role from 2006 to 2008. The last four captains—Trouba, McDonagh, Ryan Callahan, and Chris Drury—weren’t necessarily the most skilled players on their teams but exemplified the grit and toughness associated with playing in New York.
While Fox’s game leans more toward skill, he’s proven himself to be a tough defenseman and is highly respected within the locker room.
Chris Kreider
Many have long advocated for Chris Kreider, the longest-tenured active Rangers player now entering his 13th season in New York, to take on the captain’s role. He certainly fits the mold.
Kreider, a veteran known for mentoring younger players—most recently working with Matt Rempe, who will train with him over the summer—exemplifies the leadership qualities you’d expect from an experienced player.
While no one on the roster can quite match Jacob Trouba’s ability to ignite the team, as demonstrated by his helmet throw in the 2022-23 season, Kreider’s passion and energy are consistently evident. He has what it takes to motivate the team and is highly respected.
Ranking third all-time in franchise history with 304 goals, Kreider might even surpass Rod Gilbert’s record of 406 goals by the end of his contract in 2026-27, potentially becoming the Rangers’ all-time leading goal scorer. He’s a franchise legend whose jersey will likely be retired someday.
This is an organization that values legacy. Even after a decline in production, Mark Messier was reinstated as captain when he returned for his age 40-43 seasons.
Although Kreider has never been a captain, he has served as an alternate since the 2018-19 season and is expected to wear the “A” again this year.
At one point, it seemed inevitable that Kreider would become the Rangers’ captain. However, the team’s four-year stretch without a captain followed by Trouba’s appointment in 2022-23 has cooled that speculation.
Whether Kreider simply didn’t want to be captain or the locker room saw Trouba as a better fit, he has already been overlooked once. He seems content to stay in the background and not be the team’s primary spokesperson with the media.
If Trouba leaves after next season, Kreider will be 34 with two years remaining on his contract. This doesn’t diminish his impressive resume or his deserving nature—Kreider has always supported his teammates, and the homegrown Ranger has earned the fanbase’s respect through consistent performances in both the regular season and playoffs.
However, it does feel like Kreider’s best opportunity to become captain was after Ryan McDonagh’s departure. If the Rangers prefer a longer-term option, Kreider may have missed his chance, despite all he’s contributed to the franchise.
Vincent Trocheck
Vincent Trocheck may have the shortest tenure among the Rangers’ captain candidates, but he’s definitely worth considering.
The 31-year-old had an outstanding second season in New York, achieving a career-high 77 points, an impressive 58.7% face-off win percentage, and leading the team with 20 points in the postseason.
Vincent Trocheck consoles Igor Shesterkin after the final horn 😢 pic.twitter.com/NJbrZ5lr4u
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 2, 2024
What really makes Trocheck stand out, however, is his off-ice presence. A memorable moment was his reaction to the end of the Rangers’ 2023-24 season, where they lost in the Eastern Conference Final to the Panthers. While most of his teammates stared blankly at the ice, Trocheck embraced goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who had played brilliantly throughout the series.
Additionally, small gestures like hosting Italian dinners for the team in his hometown of Pittsburgh show that Trocheck has quickly adapted to the locker room and embraced a leadership role.
Trocheck, a high-effort, high-intensity player at 5-foot-11, bears some resemblance to Ryan Callahan, who captained the team from 2011 to 2014 and was known for his grit despite being just 5-foot-10. Trocheck even won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award this past season.
Although Trocheck isn’t a homegrown player like Kreider or Fox, he follows in the footsteps of many Rangers captains over the years who didn’t start their careers in New York, such as Trouba, Jagr, Messier, and Drury.
With a contract that runs through the 2028-29 season, Trocheck remains a strong candidate for the captaincy and could be a key figure for the Rangers in the years to come.
Other Candidates — Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller
Fox, Kreider, and Trocheck are currently the top contenders for the next captaincy, but a few other players also deserve mention. Unfortunately, Shesterkin is ineligible due to NHL rules that prohibit goalies from being captains. Although Roberto Luongo was named captain for the Canucks in 2008, he was not permitted to act as an on-ice captain during games.
Mika Zibanejad, however, is a viable option for captaincy and merits consideration, even if his candidacy isn’t as strong as others. As the second-longest tenured Ranger after Kreider, Zibanejad has been a key player in New York for eight seasons and is under contract until 2029-30. He has been a top-line center and ranks among the best centers in Rangers history. Despite his impressive tenure and stats, Zibanejad is somewhat reserved and not known for his vocal leadership in the locker room, which might affect his suitability compared to more vocal candidates like Trouba and Trocheck.
Alexis Lafrenière, who had a breakout season in 2023-24, could be an intriguing candidate if he can prove his recent success is sustainable and secure a long-term deal. At just 23 years old, the former No. 1 overall pick has the potential to be a cornerstone for the Rangers for years to come. While he could provide long-term stability, Lafrenière might need more time to develop both on and off the ice before taking on the captaincy role.
K’Andre Miller, who is also finishing his fourth NHL season, has quickly become a top defenseman for the Rangers. He needs to resolve his long-term contract situation before being considered for captaincy. Though he is generally reserved and prefers to stay in the background, Miller has been a professional presence and a key part of the team’s younger core. At 25, he has a promising future and could emerge as a leader alongside Fox. Additionally, he would be the Rangers’ first Black captain, which would be a significant milestone in promoting inclusivity and diversity in the sport.
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