New York Islanders acquire Matt Luff for Julien Gauthier, clean one-for-one roster swap
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Daniel Lucente
Feb 24, 2026 (9:58)
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Photo credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
Matt Luff just landed on the New York Islanders in a straight-up trade, and Julien Gauthier is the one heading out, it feels like deadline mode already.
This is a classic "change the flavor" move, not a blockbuster, but it tells you the front office wants different details on the fourth line.
The Islanders are 32-21-5, and they're still very much in the Metro mix.
Luff is 28, undrafted, and he's been a useful call-up type for years.
His contract matters here, a $775,000 cap hit that expires after 2025-26.
Here's the Islanders' announcement:
Gauthier is 28, a 2016 first-round pick, 21st overall, drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes.
That pedigree never really matched the nightly impact, even with the straight-line speed.
Matt Luff gives New York Islanders a different tool
Islanders fans will shrug at first, then immediately argue about who just lost a roster spot.
Luff plays a more honest north game, and coaches usually trust that when the schedule tightens.
If he sticks, he can be a forecheck-and-finish guy who doesn't cheat for offense.
The bigger tell is flexibility, this looks like a move that keeps the waiver wire and Bridgeport shuttle cleaner.
The next test comes Thursday in Montreal, where the Islanders will need legs more than style points.
If nothing else, it's a reminder that this team is still tweaking the bottom-six, because every point is loud right now.
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