Habs re-sign William Trudeau

The Habs took care of another of their restricted free agents on Thursday as the team announced that they’ve signed defenceman William Trudeau to a one-year, two-way contract.  The deal is reportedly worth $775,000 in the NHL, $90,000 in the minors, and has a guaranteed salary of $110,000, the same as the contract given to Sean Farrell on Wednesday.  In taking this contract, Trudeau accepted less than his qualifying offer in exchange for a higher guaranteed payout.

The 22-year-old was a fourth-round pick by the Habs back in 2021, going 113th overall.  But while he was a key player for the Rocket during his entry-level contract, Trudeau has yet to get a chance to play for the Canadiens.

Last season, Trudeau played in 68 games for the Rocket, collecting five goals and 14 assists, a point total that’s actually the lowest of his three seasons in Laval.  He also played in eight games during the playoffs, notching three assists before suffering an injury that kept him out for the rest of the postseason.

Trudeau will be waiver-eligible for the first time next season and with demand for blueliners typically being high, it’s not a guarantee that he’s able to pass through unclaimed.  If he does, he’ll be a key piece of a Rocket blueline that has undergone quite the overhaul with five new defencemen added in recent days, two on NHL deals and three signed directly to Laval.

Trudeau’s Stats: