3 takeaways from Islanders shopping Nick Leddy

They have a plan for the expansion draft

When it comes to the expansion draft, teams need to expose at least one defenseman whose under contract from 2021-22 and has played at least 40 NHL games. As of today the Islanders only have two defenders that meet that requirement; Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield.

With Pulock and Mayfield being protected the Isles have to expose Nick Leddy for the Seattle Expansion draft in order to meet that requirement.

But if they traded Leddy away, the Isles need to get another defender with at least 40 NHL games under his belt, or else they’ll have to expose Pulock or Mayfield. And that’s a no-go for either.

Of course, that’s no secret. Lou Lamoriello and his team clearly know about this requirement that will have to be met by July 17 when the 30 NHL teams have to submit their protected list.

This has to mean that Lou has a defender in mind to sign to a contract if Leddy is moved away in a trade. That doesn’t mean Lou will look outside to fill that void, he’s got a few internal options.

Andy Greene has played 40+ NHL games last year. Lou could sign Greene after Leddy is traded away and the Islanders can meet that expansion requirement.

Lou and the Islanders likely have a deal basically worked out for him.

But that also means the Isles must have someone in mind to take Leddy’s spot in the top four if he leaves via trade. And it certainly isn’t Andy Greene.