Overview
- The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens completed a one‑for‑one trade on Friday, June 26, 2026, sending forward Brett Berard to Montreal for defenseman William Trudeau.
- Brett Berard is a 2020 fifth‑round pick who has appeared in 48 NHL games with the Rangers and sought a change of scenery after a down 2025‑26 season.
- William Trudeau is a 2021 fourth‑round pick who spent four pro seasons in the AHL with Laval and has not yet made his NHL debut.
- Both players are 23 and pending restricted free agents, a status that makes the deal a low‑cost roster and contract move for each club and helps the Rangers avoid potential waiver exposure.
- The trade is an early, small‑scale roster adjustment while New York and Montreal continue to pursue bigger summer transactions and other teams in the region, such as the Islanders, finalize separate moves like Tony DeAngelo’s two‑year deal.