The Rangers resigned their first RFA since the season officially turned over, inking defenseman William Trudeau to a one year $850K contract. Trudeau brings the total contract count to 45 off 50, with three more RFAs – Braden Schneider, Scott Morrow and Vincent Iorio – all still looking to sign new deals.

Acquired in the trade that sent Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens, this will mark the first season outside of the team that drafted him, where he’s spent the past four seasons playing for Montreal’s AHL farm team, the Laval Rocket. At 23 years old – 24 in October, Trudeau is largely seen as a prospect with limited upside, and he would become a Group VI UFA if he doesn’t play 80 NHL games, or get extended before July 1st of 2028. His prospects seem relatively limited at this stage, and the expectation in the short term is that he’ll provide Hartford with some additional steadiness on the blueline.

More comfortable in the defensive zone, Trudeau is a capable defender who can contribute to offense, but is not going to drive the play. The Rangers will be hoping he can help shore up a defense in Hartford that really struggled last season.