He is trying not to let the obvious emotions about returning to his former home overcome him in advance of the game.
“I’m trying to go in with no expectations and just get ready to play a hockey game,” Kreider said. “But it’s a passionate fan base. It’s place that I’ve spent the majority of my life, so I’m sure it’ll be emotional for me. To what extent, I don’t know.”
Trouba said the emotions he felt last season when he was traded flew with him across the country.
It became public knowledge that the Rangers asked him to waive his no-move clause in the offseason and that Trouba wouldn’t do it at the time. The situation became less and less tenable after the season started, and eventually a change was needed.
“Last season was obviously pretty difficult for me,” Trouba said. “Your heart’s in a place and that gets moved, and I don’t do well with that.”
He said the offseason gave him a chance to process how it ended for him in New York, which has allowed him to be reflective without dark clouds of judgement in his return.
“I didn’t enjoy it in the moment, but it’s just a small piece of what was a very, very memorable and impactful five-and-a-half years for me,” Trouba said. “That’s not the moment I focus on; I focus on the broader, the zoom out, and everything in my life that’s changed and the people I’ve met in New York and MSG and the crazy, cool things I got to do as captain of the Rangers. Those are the things I look back on most and remember very, very fondly.”
He said New York became home for him and his family. He kept his apartment here, remains in touch with several friends in and out of hockey and likely will return to live in the area when he is done playing. His wife, Kelly, plans to practice medicine here.
Kreider also put down roots during his 13 years in the New York area, where he started a family and still has a lot of relatives and friends.
But they’re here as visitors on Monday, and, yes, it’s weird and a little confusing, at least logistically and geographically in the building.
“Obviously, you don’t really know exactly how you’re going to feel,” Trouba said. “I went downtown back to my apartment last night and walked around; that one kind of got me a bit. So, it’ll be fun being back here today and just try to enjoy it as much as I can.”
