Perreault blasts Trouba: 'How much more does he want?'
Jacob Trouba's trade request doesn't sit well with Winnipeg Jets teammate Mathieu Perreault.
"This guy plays big minutes, 22 minutes, and he's gonna complain some sort of way about his ice time?" Perreault told Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press. "How much more does he want?"
Trouba, 22, is a restricted free agent, and has stated he's looking for more playing time. The right-handed defenseman plays behind Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers.
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Perreault said the situation won't be a distraction in the dressing room as the team gears up for the regular season, after Trouba stated he won't attend camp and instead continue training in his home state of Michigan while he awaits a trade.
"I think for (Trouba's) case, you know, it might be even worse not to come play," Perreault said. "If we start the year and it goes well, then, you know, it feels like we don't even need you."
In a statement Saturday, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said: "As an unsigned player, we cannot compel Jacob to report to training camp at this time. However, we will continue to work diligently to resolve this matter. We will have no further comment on this matter until such time as it is resolved."
Drafted ninth overall by Winnipeg in 2012, Trouba has spent the past three seasons with the Jets, tallying 23 goals and 49 assists through 211 games.