Martin Necas Believes Rangers' Jacob Trouba Tried to Elbow Him in Head

The Canes' forward suggested Trouba was intentionally headhunting him in Game 2.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba checks Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba has never shied away from going for a big hit on the ice, and though he's one of the most established defensemen in hockey, he doesn't always square up his target like he intends to.

That could be seen on Tuesday night in Game 2 when Trouba attempted to level Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Neças but ended up slamming head-first into the boards after miscalculating his hit. During the play, Trouba's elbow could be seen flailing upwards.

When asked about the incident, Neças suggested Trouba was intentionally trying to injure him, per Hurricanes reporter Walt Ruff.

"I don't know, I guess elbow me in the head. Maybe he was protecting himself going into the boards. He knows. Everybody knows what kind of player he is," said Neças when asked what he thought Trouba's intent was.

Martin Necas was asked today what he thought the intentions were from the Rangers defenseman on this attempt -

"I don't know, I guess elbow me in the head. Maybe he was protecting himself going into the boards. He knows. Everybody knows what kind of player he is..." https://t.co/nqx6jyxqJJ

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) May 8, 2024

Trouba's had a history of delivering some controversial hits in the past, and Tuesday's incident involving Neças was mere inches from being another one of those hits.

Neças alluded to the defenseman's checkered past and the belief among some fans that he's a headhunter with his comments. He certainly didn't back away from the notion that the Rangers' captain was looking for more than just a momentum-shifting hit.