Gelinas has the hockey IQ of a potato and his offensive production has dropped off considerably since his rookie year. He's frustratingly inconsistent and basically three different coaching staffs have given up on him. Maybe he can still put it together somewhere else, but I doubt it.
Matteau has never really shown much, but then he hasn't played much either. Guys like Farnham, Ruutu, and AHL callups were all playing over him. It doesn't help that he's waiver eligible either. He should probably be down in the AHL, but to send him down he'd have to clear waivers and they'd probably lose him for nothing. So by trading him at least they're getting something for him. Lou not forfeiting that pick is looking worse all the time.