Islanders' Brayden Schenn Throws Shade at Former Team Blues Ahead of Return

The former Blues captain is set to face his old team in St. Louis after being traded to the Islanders.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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New York Islanders forward Brayden Schenn is returning to St. Louis to face his former team, the Blues, and he didn't hold back in throwing some shade at the organization that traded him away. Schenn said that when the Blues asked him to waive his no-trade clause two years in a row, he knew it was time to move on, as the team was 'going in a different direction' and no longer saw him as part of their future plans.

Why it matters

Schenn was a key part of the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup-winning team and served as team captain, so his departure is significant. The game between the Islanders and Blues is expected to be an emotional one, as Schenn was beloved in St. Louis and the fans are likely to show their appreciation for his contributions to the team and city.

The details

Schenn is in the sixth season of an eight-year contract extension he signed with the Blues in 2019. Last season, he had a full no-trade clause, which became a 15-team modified no-trade clause this year. Schenn had been part of trade rumors for over a year before the Islanders ultimately acquired him in a trade. Schenn said the Blues asking him to waive his no-trade clause two years in a row made it clear the team was 'going in a different direction' and no longer saw him as part of their future plans.

  • Schenn signed an eight-year contract extension with the Blues in 2019 that took effect for the 2020-21 season.
  • Schenn had a full no-trade clause last season, which became a 15-team modified no-trade clause this year.
  • Schenn had been part of trade rumors for over a year before being traded from the Blues to the Islanders.

The players

Brayden Schenn

A forward for the New York Islanders who previously served as the captain of the St. Louis Blues, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2019.

Robert Thomas

A teammate of Schenn's on the St. Louis Blues, who spoke about Schenn's return to St. Louis and the emotional reception he is expected to receive from the fans.

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What they’re saying

“Well, when (the Blues) ask you two times two years in a row, that's when it makes sense. At some point, the organization doesn't see you as part of the picture, and other teams want you, and it's good to be wanted. They're going in a different direction, and that's the reality of it.”

— Brayden Schenn (The Athletic)

“Yeah, it's going to be a tough night. Obviously, someone who was just so loved in St. Louis, a huge part of winning the first (Stanley) Cup ever in St. Louis, and he was a great leader, great captain. St. Louis, they loved him, and they're going to show up and really celebrate him and show their appreciation for how much he did for the city and the team. Yeah, it's definitely going to be an emotional night.”

— Robert Thomas, Teammate of Brayden Schenn (Daily Faceoff)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Schenn's departure from the Blues after being a key part of their Stanley Cup-winning team and serving as captain highlights the harsh realities of professional sports, where even beloved players can be traded away when an organization decides to go in a different direction. The emotional reunion between Schenn and the St. Louis fans will be a testament to the impact he had on the team and city during his time there.