Trudeau has some interesting traits.
William Trudeau is 22. He’s a 6’1” defenseman who was drafted 113th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons in Charlottetown and then started his professional career in Laval.
There is offense in his game. Nothing that stands out but possibly enough to sustain. Last season, he scored eight goals and had 16 assists. This season, after 44 games played, Trudeau has three goals and 11 assists. If he picks it up a bit last year’s numbers are achievable.
The sturdy blueliner has been winning 46% of his puck battles according to InStat. Defensively, I like his instincts. Trudeau has a good stick, especially in the corners and he plays a simple game and that can be very effective. He’s currently getting 38% defensive zone starts and he is willing to blocks shots and that's important.
His offensive game isn’t mature. Trudeau can get the puck to the net. He has decent stick and puck control and there’s a chance with more maturity, he can bury more chances and create more plays.
Honestly, he’s currently better on the penalty kill than the power play. He gets 1:42 on the kill and just:43 seconds with the man advantage.
If he were to make the NHL it might be as a puck-moving defenseman who plays the bottom pairing. I don’t think that’s a bad fate at all and in a year or so we’ll get a better idea where his development is at. Trudeau is intriguing and let’s see how he finishes this season.