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Islanders Announce Trade After NHL Olympic Freeze
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- Islanders Announce Trade After NHL Olympic Freeze
The New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues completed a depth trade during the NHL Olympic break , with the Islanders acquiring forward Matt Luff in exchange for forward Julien Gauthier . The deal was announced early Tuesday morning, just more than one day after the NHL roster freeze was lifted. It marks the third consecutive season the two teams have executed a trade.
Luff, 28, has alternated between the AHL and NHL this season. He played in five games with the Blues and scored one goal. The bulk of his work has been with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL, where he has recorded 14 goals and 39 points in 42 games. Over his career, Luff has played 111 NHL games and 321 AHL games , giving him significant experience at both levels.
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The Islanders intend to assign Luff to the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL. Nevertheless, he is expected to be a top recall option in case of injuries at the NHL level. His scoring track record in the minors and experience at the NHL level are added assets for the organization as the Islanders move through the second half of the season.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) moves the puck ahead of Detroit Red Wings right wing Matt Luff (22).Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Luff signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blues, carrying an NHL cap hit of $775,000 and a minor league salary of $400,000. At the end of the season, he will become an unrestricted free agent. Excluding his rookie season, Luff has produced 221 points in 252 AHL games, an impressive total that could be valuable to Bridgeport as it pushes to secure a playoff spot.
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For the Islanders, this move appears to be about adding a reliable veteran presence in the minors while maintaining flexibility at the NHL level. Bridgeport has been competitive, and adding a veteran scorer could help stabilize the lineup during the stretch run.
On the other side of the trade, the Blues are giving Gauthier a new opportunity. The 28-year-old former first-round pick has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, which have limited his availability. This year, he has played just 14 AHL games after missing nearly all of last season due to injury.
Gauthier played 28 games at the NHL level with the Islanders, 27 during the 2023-24 season and one in 2024-25. He is known for his speed and physical tools but has not yet secured a permanent role in the NHL. St. Louis could provide him with another chance to earn time at the highest level.
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The trade continues a recent trend between the Islanders and Blues. Last season, New York acquired Scott Perunovich from St. Louis in exchange for a conditional draft pick. In 2023-24, the Islanders also acquired Robert Bortuzzo from the Blues in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
