Rangers Trade Brett Berard to Canadiens for Defense Prospect William Trudeau

On June 26, 2026 the New York Rangers sent forward Brett Berard to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman William Trudeau. Both players are pending restricted free agents with arbitration rights.

Sports IllustratedMontreal Canadiens acquire Brett Berard for William TrudeauESPNCanadiens acquire F Berard from Rangers for D TrudeauNew York Post

Brett Berard, 23, a fifth-round (134th-overall, 2020) New York pick, is a 5-ft-9, 175-lb left wing. He has played 48 NHL games (6 G, 4 A) and 41 AHL games for Hartford (6 G, 16 A). William Trudeau, 23, a fourth-round (113th-overall, 2021) Montreal pick, is a 6-ft-1, 205-lb left-shot defenseman. He has not yet appeared in the NHL; in 2025-26 he posted 8 G, 12 A, 20 P in 62 AHL games for Laval, and totals 28 G, 62 A, 90 P in 260 AHL contests. Both players, age 23, will be eligible for arbitration as pending RFAs this offseason.

Rangers Acquire William Trudeau in Exchange for Brett Berard

The Rangers missed the playoffs for a second straight year and have a crowded forward group, prompting them to trade a depth forward for a defensive prospect. Montreal, meanwhile, has a surplus of young defensemen and needed a forward with NHL experience to add depth, especially as veteran Brendan Gallagher may depart.

Montreal Canadiens Acquire Brett Berard

Rangers president and GM Chris Drury announced the acquisition of Trudeau, describing it as part of a plan to improve defensive depth. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes said the trade brings a forward who can provide a cheap, bottom-six option for Montreal.

Sports Illustrated

Analysts noted Berard’s zero-point output in 13 NHL games this season and questioned whether the move offers immediate benefit to New York. Others pointed out that Trudeau may remain in the AHL given Montreal’s depth at defense.

Newsday

The trade gives New York a potential NHL-ready blueliner and gives Montreal a forward who could fill a bottom-six role if Gallagher departs. Arbitration hearings for both pending RFAs are expected before the season, and the Rangers will assess Trudeau’s NHL readiness at training camp.

Sports Illustrated

One source lists Berard’s draft as 2020, while another mistakenly cites 2023; no other major inconsistencies appear.

Canadiens acquire forward Brett Berard from the New York Rangers

• “there is no love lost” — Arthur Staple, Writer, The Athletic

Montreal Canadiens Acquire Brett Berard

• “looking for a change of scenery” — Mollie Walker, Reporter, New York Post

Montreal Canadiens Acquire Brett Berard

• “Rejoice, New York Rangers fans, the team has finally made a trade!” — Kenneth Teape, Sports Writer, Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated

• “Trudeau isn’t likely to solve all of New York’s problems at the blueline, but it was a worthwhile addition.” — Kenneth Teape, Sports Writer, Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated

• “This was a shrewd move by Drury to deal from a perceived position of strength and depth to address one of the weaknesses that existed.” — Kenneth Teape, Sports Writer, Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated