St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong has made significant roster changes, terminating Brandon Saad's contract and trading Scott Perunovich to the New York Islanders. Saad, having struggled this season with only seven goals in 43 games, will now become a UFA and can sign with any team before the trade deadline to be postseason eligible. Potential suitors for Saad may include the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins, among others. Meanwhile, the Islanders are contemplating trades involving Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, both of whom are UFA-eligible this summer. As the Islanders push for a playoff spot, they may hesitate to part with key players. The New York Rangers are also in the playoff hunt, raising questions about their trade strategy, particularly regarding defenseman Ryan Lindgren.

Scott Perunovich has been traded from the St. Louis Blues to the New York Islanders for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 26-year-old defenseman is expected to make his debut against the Colorado Avalanche at UBS Arena. He has recorded six points in 24 games this season, and his move comes at a critical time as the Islanders cope with injuries to key players, including Ryan Pulock and Marcus Hogberg, who will be sidelined indefinitely.

Perunovich's trade follows a series of injuries that have plagued the Islanders, forcing them to seek immediate reinforcements. Coach Patrick Roy acknowledged the impact of the losses, noting that while it's tough to lose players performing well, it also presents opportunities for others to step up. This sentiment was echoed by forward Mathew Barzal, who emphasized the need for the team to rally together despite the ongoing injuries.

Perunovich's career has seen him accumulate 29 points with the Blues, and he won the 2020 Hobey Baker Award. His addition to the Islanders is seen as a strategic move to bolster their defense amidst current challenges.

The New York Islanders suffered a setback as defenseman Ryan Pulock and goaltender Marcus Hogberg were placed on injured reserve due to upper-body injuries. These moves follow their injuries during a recent 3-2 overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Veteran defenseman Scott Perunovich was acquired from the St. Louis Blues to bolster the depleted roster, while Jakub Skarek has been recalled from the AHL to cover the goaltending gap. Islanders coach Patrick Roy expressed the significance of the injured players but highlighted the opportunity for others to step up.

Pulock’s absence will be significant; he has been a key player with 16 points in 48 games this season. Meanwhile, Hogberg has shown promise this season with a 1.45 GAA in limited appearances. The Islanders are set to face the Colorado Avalanche in their next game.

The New York Islanders bolstered their defense by acquiring Scott Perunovich from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. This trade occurred shortly after the Islanders signed Tony DeAngelo, who made his debut after joining the team. Currently, the Islanders are on a four-game winning streak, enhancing their playoff hopes after struggling earlier in the season with only 17 wins in their first 44 games.

Perunovich, a 26-year-old defenseman, has recorded six points in 24 games during his second full NHL season, totaling 33 points in 104 career games with the Blues. He is under contract for $1.15 million and will become a restricted free agent this summer, presenting both a potential challenge and opportunity for the Islanders as they look to strengthen their defensive lineup.

The New York Islanders have strengthened their defensive lineup by trading for Scott Perunovich from the St. Louis Blues, sending a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft in return. Perunovich, 26, has had a sporadic presence in the Blues' lineup this season, contributing six points across 24 games. His performance over two seasons has seen him average about 15 minutes of ice time and accumulate a total of 33 points in both regular and playoff games. Meanwhile, the Islanders recently signed Tony DeAngelo, who debuted after signing a prorated contract, further enhancing their roster.

Following a challenging start to the season, the Islanders have found momentum, winning four consecutive games after a tough stretch where they lost 27 out of their first 44 matches. Despite their recent success, they remain in seventh place in the competitive Metropolitan Division, suggesting that the team's efforts to bolster their defense are critical as they aim to climb the standings.