New York Islanders 2018-19 Season Left Defense Depth Chart

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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 19: Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders prepares for his game against the Dallas Stars at the Barclays Center on January 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Nick Leddy

2017-18 Stats: 10G, 32A, 42P
Cap Hit: $5.5 million | 4 Years

Nick Leddy had a bad season in 2017-18. With 42 points he was still the top scoring blueliner for the Islanders. But by December he was on pace for 68 points with 20 points 24 games. Between December and April Leddy put up 22 points in 56 games.

What made it worse was his -42 rating. Say what you will about +/-. It’s absolutely a garbage statistic. But it doesn’t look good. From October to November 30th Leddy was a +2, by the end of the season it dropped by 44 points. Again, that doesn’t look good, even if it doesn’t actually mean anything.

Regardless, Leddy is still the best left-shooting defenseman on the Islanders roster. By a country mile.

He’s the only left-handed blueliner that can get the puck out of the zone with any sort of confidence and ease. He’s the most competent on the power-play. And is probably the second best skater on the team after Mathew Barzal.

With the stronger defensive structure that Barry Trotz will inevitably bring in to the New York Islanders, Nick Leddy will benefit. He’s going to better his -42 rating. He might not return more than 50 points this season, but his defensive game will greatly improve if only because of how he and his defensive partner will be deployed.

Nick Leddy will be that defender we all knew he is. Last year’s return will be an aberration that can be attributed to a coaching staff that didn’t know how to structure a defense.