Islanders Three Stars of the Week: Brock Nelson aka Mr. Overtime

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 21: Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Barclays Center on November 21, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Nick Leddy

Stats: 3 Assists

Is the old Nick Leddy back? It sure feels like it. With three assists this week, the defenseman’s production is back to a pre-December 2017 pace. In 17 games played this season, Leddy has two goals and seven assists for nine points.

That type of production has Nick Leddy on pace for 41 points by the end of the season.

All three points came at the start of the week when the Islanders were on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In that same game, Leddy posted a +5 rating. Meaning he was on the ice for all five of the Islanders goals but none of the four Penguins goals.

I’m not a fan of plus-minus, but for Nick Leddy, it’s a big deal. Because a big deal was made of his -42 from the 2017-18 season. To be fair, he’s been ‘demoted’ down to the Islanders third defensive pairing alongside fellow veteran Johnny Boychuk. He isn’t being matched up against the opposition’s best players anymore.

But the position suits Leddy. There, against lower-tier opponents, Nick Leddy is able to fly again. Who knows what happened as of December 2017, but at this point, who cares. Nick Leddy seems to be back to his old self again. And that adds a whole new dimension to the Islanders blue line.

With Ryan Pulock putting up points in addition to averaging over 20 minutes a night this week and Devon Toews pilling up points just as fast, the New York Islanders have a defenseman on each of their D-pairs on pace for at least 39 points.

Ryan Pulock: 10 points in 21 games. On pace for 39 points.
Devon Toews: 11 points in 21 games. On pace for 43 points.
Nick Leddy: 9 points in 17 games. On pace for 41 points.

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Not only is the Islanders blue line one of stingiest in the league, but with that type of production, they’re likely one of the most productive in the league too. It’s good to have the old Nick Leddy back, even if it’s in a bottom pair role.