New York Islanders Five Destinations For Nick Leddy

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 01: Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders is checked by Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators during the third period at the Barclays Center on December 1, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Ottawa Senators

Why They Could Use Him?
The Ottawa Senators current number two defenseman is Codi Ceci. (How about Thomas Chabot with 20 points in 15 games?) While Ceci might not be as bad as everyone says he is, he certainly isn’t a top blueliner. The Senators need defensemen.

The Sens definitely need a guy on the blue line who can get the puck out of the zone. They need another guy who can put up points from the blue line. And they need guys under contract. Nick Leddy is under contract for another three years after the 2018-19 season.

Contract aside, Nick Leddy isn’t checking any of those boxes for the New York Islanders. It’s not that he can’t. I still firmly believe that the same Nick Leddy the Islanders acquired back in 2014 is still there. Something just needs to click to bring it out. A change of scenery might do that.

What Isles Would Want
Centers. The Isles need centers. Matt Duchene has long been a trade target, but I feel that conflict seems to follow Duchene around. The Avalanche completely turned their fortunes around as soon as Duchene left. And now with the Sens drama seems to follow Duchene around.

I’d focus on Jean-Gabriel Pageau as a third line centerman option for next season. With a year left on his deal, Valtteri Filppula won’t likely return next season. Pageau at 25 is young and a long-term option for the Islanders. He’s proven his worth in the league posting 43 points in 2015-16 and a 51.8 win-percentage in the faceoff circle.

He’s also got that four goals against the New York Rangers in the playoffs in 2017.