Multiple waiver claims were confirmed just days before roster deadline
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings both added depth on the blue line this week, with Nashville claiming defenseman William Trudeau off waivers from the New York Rangers and Detroit claiming Andreas Englund from the Calgary Flames.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed both moves on X.
Predators land young Rangers prospect
Trudeau, 23, joined the Rangers organization in June when New York acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Brett Berard.
The left-shot defenseman spent the past four seasons entirely in the AHL with the Laval Rocket, never appearing in an NHL game. He posted a career-high eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 62 games this past season.
With the Rangers carrying a crowded left side featuring Vladislav Gavrikov and Matthew Robertson, Trudeau became expendable and now heads to Nashville's system, where he will compete for depth minutes.
Red Wings add physical presence from Calgary
Englund, 30, signed a one-year, two-way contract with Calgary in July after spending parts of the previous three seasons with Nashville.
The 6-foot-3 Swedish defenseman has bounced between four organizations since being drafted in the second round by Ottawa in 2014, appearing in more than 200 career NHL games while providing a physical, stay-at-home presence.
He managed just three NHL games with the Predators last season, spending most of his time with AHL Milwaukee. Detroit now takes on his contract as the Red Wings look to add veteran depth heading into the regular season.
Both transactions reflect the routine roster shuffling that accompanies final cuts before opening night, as teams across the league use waivers to fine-tune their depth charts.
Neither player figures to crack an opening-night lineup immediately, but both provide organizational insurance on the back end.
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