Overview
- The Rangers sent forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for minor-league defenseman William Trudeau, closing their first announced offseason deal.
- Berard, once seen as part of the Rangers’ future core, has 48 NHL games and 10 points and will get a change of scenery in Montreal.
- Trudeau has yet to make his NHL debut and joins New York as a prospect defensive option that the Rangers can develop in the minors.
- The Islanders signed veteran Tony DeAngelo to a two-year, $9 million contract that carries a $4.5 million cap hit per season and preserves blue-line continuity.
- Rangers general manager Chris Drury is expected to pursue larger moves later in the offseason and Vincent Trocheck has been linked to trade discussions, which could affect future roster and cap decisions.