When the New York Islanders and New York Rangers connect on a trade, it's not just another transaction-it’s a rare event in one of hockey’s most storied rivalries. But that’s exactly what happened, as the Islanders acquired veteran defenseman Carson Soucy from the Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
This marks just the fourth trade between the two New York franchises since the Islanders entered the league in 1972. That alone makes this move notable. But beyond the history, this deal is about the Islanders addressing a very real need on the blue line-and doing it with urgency.
A Veteran Presence for a Banged-Up Blue Line
The Islanders' defensive corps has been in flux for months. Alexander Romanov’s shoulder injury in November left a hole on the left side, and just as the team was managing to plug that gap, Ryan Pulock went down with an upper-body injury last week against Seattle.
He’s listed as day-to-day, but there's concern it could be longer-term. That’s the kind of situation that forces a general manager to act-and Mathieu Darche didn’t wait around.
Enter Carson Soucy. At 6'4", the 31-year-old brings size, grit, and a defensive-minded game that fits the Islanders' identity. He’s not going to light up the scoresheet-he has just three goals and five assists through 46 games this season-but he’s a steady, stay-at-home defenseman who can eat minutes and help stabilize the penalty kill, especially in Pulock’s absence.
Soucy was originally picked up by the Rangers in March from Vancouver, also for a third-rounder, and he’s in the second year of a three-year deal that carries a $3.25 million AAV. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, which means this is very much a short-term play for the Isles. But sometimes that’s exactly what you need when you’re fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
Rangers Begin Their Reset
From the Rangers’ side, this move is the first sign that GM Chris Drury is serious about reshaping the roster. Just last week, Drury issued a letter to fans-echoing the one John Davidson sent out during a previous rebuild-making it clear that changes are coming. Soucy is the first domino to fall, and it likely won’t be the last.
The Rangers currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and while Soucy was one of their more reliable blueliners-his +4 rating is second-best on the team-he was also a logical trade chip. With his contract expiring this summer and the team looking to retool, flipping him for a draft pick makes sense.
The Cost of Doing Business
A third-round pick might feel like a steep price for a rental, but context matters. Historically, only about 14% of third-rounders end up becoming impact NHL players. For a team like the Islanders, who are trying to weather injuries and stay competitive in a tight playoff race, that’s a risk worth taking.
Soucy brings playoff experience, physicality, and a calming presence to a blue line that’s been anything but settled. He’s not a flashy addition, but he’s exactly the kind of guy you want when the games start to tighten up in March and April.
A Rare Cross-Town Deal
Just to underscore how unusual this trade is: before this, the Islanders and Rangers had only made three trades in over five decades. Two of those came in the Isles’ inaugural season back in 1972, and the most recent was in 2010, when the Islanders sent prospect Jyri Niemi to the Rangers for a sixth-round pick.
So yes, this deal is rare. But it’s also practical.
The Rangers are retooling. The Islanders are patching holes.
And Carson Soucy, a rugged, veteran defenseman, just became the newest piece in the Isles’ playoff puzzle.
In a rivalry where trades are almost unheard of, both sides found a way to get what they needed.