Almost exactly one year to the day that the New York Rangers traded him to the Anaheim Ducks, Jacob Trouba found himself in the middle of the NHL news cycle yet again Friday.
The former Rangers captain delivered a massive and controversial hit on Washington Capitals forward Ryan Leonard late in the first period of Anaheim’s 4-3 shootout victory. Trouba caught Leonard from the blind side with his shoulder on a thunderous hit behind the Ducks net.
Leonard’s head snapped back and he fell hard to the ice. After a few moments, the rookie skated off on his own, bleeding from the mouth.