Awkward off-ice moment after Islanders-Blues blockbuster trade
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Brayden Schenn is officially heading to the New York Islanders, giving head coach Patrick Roy a massive veteran boost right before the deadline buzzer.
The St. Louis Blues sent their longtime captain to Long Island in a bizarre Friday blockbuster. The craziest part of the entire transaction happened entirely off the ice.
Both squads are currently staying inside the exact same hotel out in San Jose. Schenn literally just has to walk down the hallway to join his brand new locker room.
He could bump into his former teammates while grabbing coffee tomorrow morning. The pure logistics of this deadline deal are absolutely hilarious.
Islanders paid a massive price
New York surrendered a massive package to secure his immediate services. They shipped Jonathan Drouin, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and prospect Marcus Gidlof straight to St. Louis.
With 28 points across 61 games this season, Schenn still possesses high-end offensive output. The veteran brings a serious physical edge and Stanley Cup pedigree to a roster hunting for a deep run in the NHL.
He carries a hefty $6.5 million cap hit for two more seasons. Management clearly believes his natural leadership and solid execution are completely worth the financial commitment.
Over his NHL career, the gritty forward has proven he can consistently tilt the ice in high-pressure moments. He helped guide the Blues to a championship back in 2019.
Because of the shared hotel situation, his transition game off the ice will be incredibly efficient. The equipment managers simply have to push his heavy bags into the next elevator.
The Islanders desperately needed a reliable center to drive controlled entries and create space inside the offensive zone. Schenn is the exact type of player who actively punishes defensemen along the half-wall.
St. Louis is officially retooling their core by loading up on valuable draft capital. Losing their captain definitely hurts the defensive structure, but getting an extra first-round pick softens the immediate blow.
The Islanders are betting that this veteran presence is the missing link for a long playoff push. Adding 12 goals to the middle six right now is massive for their depth.
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