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.
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.
Thompson, 24, was drafted 90th overall in 2022 by the Blackhawks and has yet to make his NHL debut.
Through his first full season with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IcHogs, Thompson has collected six goals and nine assists through 40 games.
The Rangers believe the 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward has winning pedigree, after he helped the Denver Pioneers win the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship.
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.