The Rangers conducted an AHL-level swap with the Blackhawks before Friday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
Acquiring center prospect Aidan Thompson, the Blueshirts sent Derrick Pouliot to Chicago in return.
Access the Rangers beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.
tRY IT NOW“Aidan had a real successful career at Denver, individually and team-wise,” Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury said Friday. “He’s finding his way in his first pro year. Able to take a swing at a young guy like that, who’s had some offensive upside in the past. I’m excited to get him in and get him to Hartford.”
Pouliot signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million with the Rangers in July, but the 32-year-old defenseman has remained in Hartford for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Wolf Pack have had a tumultuous season and were last in the Atlantic Division going into Friday’s slate of games. A veteran like Pouliot, who led all Hartford defensemen with 28 points, was ultimately used as a trade chip.
Thompson, 24, was drafted No. 90 overall in 2022 by the Blackhawks and has yet to make his NHL debut.
Aidan Thompson played college hockey at Denver. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Through his first full season with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, Thompson has collected six goals and nine assists through 40 games.
The Rangers believe the 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward has a winning pedigree after he helped the Denver Pioneers win the 2024 NCAA Division I national title.
Over three seasons and 120 collegiate games, Thompson posted 117 points (42 goals, 75 assists). He ranked second among all NCAA skaters in points (55) during his final season in 2024-25, while also tying for third in assists (34) and serving as alternate captain of his team.
The Rangers consider Thompson to have an offensive upside.
