Ex-Rangers captain Jacob Trouba issues a classy statement while deflecting MSG homecoming to Chris Kreider

Jacob Trouba knows what the building means, and he also knows whose night it should be. Ahead of the Anaheim Ducks' visit to the New York Rangers on Monday, Trouba made it clear he wants the focus on Chris Kreider, not on his own return to MSG.

Trouba spent parts of six seasons with the Rangers, serving as captain from 2022 until he was traded to Anaheim during the 2024-25 season. He played 364 regular-season games in New York, logged heavy minutes, and helped lead two deep playoff runs, including the 2022-23/2022-24 Eastern Conference Finals.

Still, Trouba was quick to acknowledge that Kreider's legacy towers above individual storylines. Kreider, drafted 19th overall in 2009, and was the longest-tenured Ranger in franchise history, with a total of 13th NHL seasons, all with New York.

Kreider's resume speaks loudly. He owns the Rangers' all-time playoff goals record, has topped 30 goals six times, and famously scored 52 goals during the 2021-22 season. At 34 years old and carrying a $6.5 million cap hit, Kreider has been the constant through coaching changes, roster turnover, and expectations that never cool.

It's hard not to respect Trouba's tone here. This is exactly the kind of leadership Rangers fans remember, even after the jersey changed.

Trouba said he hopes Monday feels like a celebration of Kreider's impact, the consistency, the playoff moments, and the example he's set in the locker room. That matters in a building where ovations are earned, not handed out.

The Ducks defenseman will still get his moment when his name is announced. It's inevitable. But Trouba seems genuinely content letting the night breathe around Kreider, a player who has defined an era of Rangers hockey.