The long wait is about to be over.
Jacob Trouba is expected to be in the lineup for the Winnipeg Jets when they face the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, marking the season debut of the right-shooting blue liner. According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun, it’s not really known exactly who his defense partner will be.
After months of speculation about the future of the restricted free agent in Winnipeg, contract talks and a trade request, the 22-year-old Trouba re-signed with the Jets on Monday for two years and $6 million. He re-joined the team on Tuesday.
Finally getting into game action well after the beginning of the season, Trouba may display some rust tonight, which seems like it would only be natural.
But going forward, he could be a huge boost for the Jets, who have won two in a row and three of their last four games.
“He needs to get into a game,” head coach Paul Maurice told reporters. “The game’s different this year than in (the) past. It is faster. You can do a lot of video, you can do a lot of short-area drills, but eventually you’ve got to get on the ice and play a game.”