Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba requests trade

Restricted free agent defenseman Jacob Trouba has requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets because they won't use him on the right side.
"I want to play on the right side to realize my potential," Trouba, 22, told TSN. "That's not going to happen in Winnipeg. This has nothing to do with Winnipeg as a city. This is about me getting the chance to be the best player I can be. I've worked hard to get this far. I don't want to look back in 20 years and wish I hadn't just gone with the flow. Sometimes you have to put yourself first. This isn't an easy decision. But I want to play on the right side."

Trouba was selected by the Jets with the No. 9 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. He had six goals and 15 assists, and led Winnipeg defensemen with a plus-10 rating in 81 games last season.
"Our client, Jacob Trouba, will not be attending the Winnipeg Jets NHL training camp," agent Kurt Overhardt said in a statement, according to Sportsnet. "Since May, we have been working with the Jets management in an effort to facilitate a trade of Jacob's rights. Both parties continue to work on this matter."
Overhardt said there have been no contract negotiations between the Jets and Trouba the past several months.
"We are aware of the statement issued by Kurt Overhardt regarding Jacob Trouba," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said in a statement. "Over the last three seasons, Jacob Trouba has played a key role for the Winnipeg Jets and in our view still represents an important part of the long-term future of our club. As such, any decisions made regarding Jacob Trouba will be made in the best interest of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club.
"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."
Trouba was invited to Jets training camp, which opened Friday, despite not having a contract. He was playing for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey 2016 in Toronto until it was eliminated Thursday in the preliminary round.

"To the Jets' credit, the club has two outstanding right-shot veteran defensemen (Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers) and our client simply wants the opportunity to have a greater role," Overhardt said. "As a consequence of the Jets' depth on the right side, we believe it is in both parties' best interest to facilitate a mutually advantageous trade."
Trouba has 23 goals and 49 assists in 211 regular-season games and two assists in four Stanley Cup Playoff games in three NHL seasons with the Jets.
"Our client has nothing but respect for the people and City of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Jets, its fans, management and ownership -- our desire to get him moved has everything to do with opportunity," Overhardt said. "We will continue to work with the Jets in good faith to achieve this end."