Jacob Trouba reaches out to Jujhar Khaira; talks about having to fight after clean hits

Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers is getting himself a reputation as one of the heaviest hitters in the NHL. Earlier this week, Trouba sent Jujhar Khaira of the Chicago Blackhawks to hospital following a devastating open ice hit that left Khaira out cold on the ice. Trouba said he has since reached out to Khaira.

"Obviously very scary and unfortunate. I exchanged text messages with him after and checked in. He tells me he's doing okay so that's good to see," Trouba said Wednesday. "Obviously, no one wants to see that and no one plays the game to see guys get injured or injure guys. It was very unfortunate. It's a tough situation for everyone and I hope he recovers fast."

The league has essentially deemed the hit a clean one by not subjecting Trouba to any supplemental discipline. Trouba agrees with that ruling.

"I don't think it was malicious. I don't think I jumped -- stayed on my feet tried to tuck my shoulder in and put it in the chest. That's how I was taught how to hit, that's the cleanest way I know how to hit. That's what I try to do. I don't think I have a reputation as a dirty hitter. I play the game hard, I play pretty close to the edge but I try not to go over the edge."

Trouba delivered another big hit Wednesday night, this time to Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. There was no penalty on the play and no supplemental discipline is expected meaning, once again, the league views it as clean. Trouba would end up fighting Gabriel Landeskog as a result. Trouba was asked about having to fight opponents after clean hits.

"I don't have an issue with it," he said. "Do I think you have to defend yourself if the hit's deemed clean? No. Do I have a problem standing up for myself if someone wants to stand up for their teammate. No, I also don't have an issue with that. It is what it is."

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