The NHL’s trade market is open for business once again following the Olympic roster freeze, and the New York Islanders wasted no time getting in on the action. On February 24, 2026, the Islanders and the St. Louis Blues completed a swap that, while not headline-grabbing, could have a meaningful impact for both organizations down the stretch. The Isles sent veteran forward Julien Gauthier to the Blues in exchange for Matt Luff, a seasoned winger whose scoring touch in the AHL has turned heads this season.
Matt Luff, age 28, arrives in the Islanders’ system after a strong campaign with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate. In 42 games with Springfield, Luff tallied 14 goals and 25 assists, notching a team-leading 39 points. His knack for finding the scoresheet isn’t a one-off—Luff has amassed 251 points (101 goals, 150 assists) in 321 career AHL games, a testament to his consistency and offensive prowess. He’s also no stranger to the NHL, having played 111 games across six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues, scoring 16 goals in the process. This season, Luff appeared in five games for the Blues, netting one goal while primarily skating in a fourth-line role and averaging just over nine minutes a night.
For the Islanders, who sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 69 points entering their first post-Olympic contest against Montreal, Luff’s arrival is all about depth and flexibility. General manager Mathieu Darche made it clear that Luff will initially report to the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL, but his impressive numbers make him a top candidate for a call-up should injuries hit the NHL roster. As the Isles gear up for a playoff push, having a proven AHL scorer ready to step in could be a difference-maker. Luff’s contract status also provides flexibility; he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, making him a low-risk, potentially high-reward addition.
"Luff will be a big boost for Bridgeport," reported Stefen Rosner of NHL.com. The Bridgeport squad is in the thick of a playoff chase themselves, and Luff’s experience and production will be invaluable as they look to secure a postseason berth. Excluding his rookie season, Luff has posted 221 points in 252 AHL games, an impressive clip that few in the league can match.
Julien Gauthier, meanwhile, heads to St. Louis seeking a fresh start after a frustrating stretch with the Islanders. The 28-year-old, originally drafted 21st overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016, has seen his career hampered by injuries in recent seasons. Gauthier played just one game for the Isles this year and 14 for Bridgeport, where he managed five goals and two assists for seven points. Over the last two seasons, injuries limited him to a total of only 25 AHL appearances and a single NHL game. In his entire NHL career, Gauthier has suited up for 181 games across stints with the Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Islanders, recording 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points.
Despite the setbacks, Gauthier’s potential remains intriguing. He’s a 6-foot-4, 230-pound power forward known for his physicality and willingness to drive to high-danger areas—traits that could serve him well with the Blues. Gauthier’s AHL numbers are solid, too: 130 points (86 goals, 44 assists) in 228 career games, including five goals and seven points in 14 contests this season. The Blues confirmed that Gauthier will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he’ll get an immediate chance to prove he’s healthy and ready to contribute. If he can regain his form, Gauthier could find himself back in the NHL, something that seemed unlikely with the Islanders given their current roster and his injury history.
The trade is notable not only for the players involved but also for its timing and context. It marks the first NHL transaction following the Olympic roster freeze and continues a recent trend of business between the Islanders and Blues. This is the third consecutive season the two clubs have connected on a deal. Last year, the Islanders acquired Scott Perunovich from St. Louis, and the year before that, Robert Bortuzzo made the move to New York. These recurring exchanges suggest a healthy working relationship between the front offices, each looking to address specific organizational needs.
For Luff, the move to the Islanders’ organization represents a new opportunity. While he’s been a reliable call-up option for the Blues, his NHL appearances have been sporadic—just five games this season, mostly in a depth role. His value at the AHL level, however, is unquestioned. Luff’s size (6-foot-3, 219 pounds) and scoring ability give Bridgeport a legitimate offensive leader, and his veteran presence should be a stabilizing force in the locker room during the playoff push. As a pending UFA, Luff will be motivated to impress both his new team and potential suitors around the league.
Gauthier, for his part, gets a much-needed change of scenery. The Blues, currently looking to inject some speed and physicality into their depth chart, are banking on Gauthier’s upside. His journey from a first-round pick to a player searching for NHL stability has been anything but straightforward, but the opportunity in St. Louis could be just what he needs to reignite his career. According to The Hockey News, Gauthier’s play style differs from Luff’s—he’s more aggressive physically and prefers to shoot from dangerous areas, while Luff is known for his offensive instincts and puck distribution.
Both players join their new AHL affiliates immediately, bypassing waivers due to their current assignments. For Bridgeport, Luff steps in as the leading point-getter and a key piece for the stretch run. For Springfield, Gauthier arrives with the hope that he can rediscover the form that made him a top prospect a decade ago.
As the Islanders prepare to resume their NHL schedule against Montreal, fans will be watching closely to see if Luff earns a call-up and how quickly he can make an impact. Meanwhile, Blues supporters will keep an eye on Gauthier’s progress in Springfield, wondering if the former first-rounder can seize his NHL lifeline. With both teams jockeying for playoff position at their respective levels, this trade could end up being more than just a minor transaction—it might be the spark both players, and their new teams, need as the season heats up.