New York Rangers Sign William Trudeau

According to a team announcement, the New York Rangers have signed defenseman William Trudeau to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season. The Rangers acquired his signing rights a few weeks ago from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Brett Berard.

Trudeau, 23, will be playing his home games outside of Quebec for the first time, well, ever. After completing his amateur career, the Varennes, Quebec native played for the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders before being drafted by the Canadiens with the 113th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Throughout the last four years, Trudeau has been playing with the AHL’s Laval Rocket. Presumably, he will begin the 2026-27 season with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.

Regardless of being an AHL talent up to this point, Trudeau was a decent change-of-scenery candidate heading into the offseason. He never found his groove with the Rocket, averaging around 20 points a year and not showing any signs of improvement.

Throughout the last four years, Trudeau has registered 28 goals and 90 points in 260 AHL contests with a +19 rating, including 236 PIMs. He showed some flashes of being a quality puck-mover during his junior days, but hasn’t shown that ability yet in the professional ranks. New York will hope that he regain that form in a new environment.