The NHL is back in full swing after a lengthy Olympic hiatus, featuring a packed slate of eight games tonight. While the Islanders won't hit the ice until tomorrow night in Montreal, they've already made waves in the trade market. In a move that underscores a growing trend of late-season exchanges, the Islanders swapped Julien Gauthier for Matt Luff with the Blues.
Both players bring NHL experience but are mainly seen as AHL assets for now. The Blues, struggling this season amidst a slew of forward injuries, only gave Luff a brief five-game stint in the NHL.
Despite this, he's been a notable scorer in the AHL. On the other hand, Gauthier had shown promise for a regular bottom-line role a couple of seasons ago before injuries took a toll on his last two seasons.
Returning from the Olympics, the Islanders' Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat are back in town, with Horvat sitting out practice but expected to play Thursday. Patrick Roy, who knows the sting of Olympic disappointment all too well from his 1998 experience with Team Canada, can certainly empathize with them.
As the Islanders gear up for a crucial stretch of games, fans are buzzing with anticipation. Meanwhile, the Islanders Anxiety podcast dives into Olympic recaps and some entertaining hot takes.
In other NHL news, the Penguins are making strategic moves to get younger and more flexible. They've traded Brett Kulak to Colorado in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick. This is part of a broader reshuffling as teams prepare for the trade deadline drama.
The Canucks are bracing for potential departures, while Blake Coleman is set to remain a Flame unless a trade dictates otherwise. And after being sidelined since training camp, Aleksandar Barkov is eyeing a playoff return following knee surgery, giving the Panthers a much-needed boost.
As the trade deadline approaches, the NHL landscape is poised for some exciting developments. Stay tuned as teams maneuver for position and prepare for the final push of the season.