New York Islanders Willing to Listen to Trades for Nick Leddy

Something is off with Nick Leddy. After early Norris talk from Doug Weight in November of 2017, the New York Islanders blueliner has taken a dip. Maybe now’s the time to cash in.

At the start of the 2017-18 season, Nick Leddy was on fire for the New York Islanders. Through the team’s first 23 games he had 20 points. Leddy was, at that time, on pace for a 71 point season.

Everything was looking great for the blueliner that the Islanders plucked out of Chicago. One of GM Garth Snow‘s rare wins in the organization. Snow acquired Leddy from a cap-strapped Blackhawks team for a bag of beans (ie: a few prospects that never panned out for them).

That fantastic start to the 2017-18 season led then New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight to tell Newsday that Nick Leddy should be considered for the Norris trophy.

But through games 24 to 80 of the 2017-18 season, Nick Leddy would only add another 19 points. Add poor defensive play unfortunately epitomized by a -42 plus-minus stat and Nick Leddy obviously finished nowhere near the Norris.

So now seven games into the 2018-19 season and equally bad production, is it fair to be listening to trade proposals for Nick Leddy?

OF COURSE!

According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, Lou Lamoriello is willing to listen to trade offers for the Islanders defenseman.

Through seven games of the 2018-19 regular season, Nick Leddy has zero points and a 37.7 percent 5on5 Corsi-for. If this season was supposed to be a bounce-back year, we’re all still waiting.

With that being said it’s a good idea for Lou Lamoriello to be willing to listen to offers. Not shop him. Shopping a player dilutes his value. Although with the production Nick Leddy has had since December of 2018 he’s diluting his own trade value.

It might sound tough to hear that the New York Islanders are willing to part ways with what was once their best defenseman. But they have a similarly skilled player already in the organization that can step into the roster.

With Devon Toews second on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in scoring he’s picked up right where he left off from his shoulder injury. He’s still a dominant player in the AHL.

He’s a left-handed shot, with some incredible wheels, the ability to hold a power play, and more importantly to get the puck up the ice. He can score too, putting up 73 points in 113 AHL games. If Nick Leddy goes, Devon Toews should be able to step in and begin to fill that vacancy.

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

The that Lou is willing to listen doesn’t mean he makes a move now. Though November is a busy month in Lou’s historical trade calendar. Lou is in no need to make a deal today, he’ll wait for the right deal to move the blueliner. Hopefully, for a second line center.