The New York Islanders are apparently looking to move Nick Leddy before the Expansion Draft
Nick Leddy is no stranger to trade rumours.
Ever since Lou Lamoriello took over on Long Island, the veteran defender has found himself on the block as the cap-strapped Islanders look to open up some wiggle room.
This off-season is no different. According to The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, there’s a sense of urgency to move Leddy ahead of the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft in order to avoid losing him for nothing…
“There have been rumors around the league ever since Lamoriello took over the Isles that Nick Leddy might be on the trade block. There’s a much bigger sense of urgency to any trade talk now, given that Leddy could be the odd man out on the expansion protected list submitted on Saturday. But two league sources indicated that the Islanders are shopping the 30-year-old defenseman this week so they would not have to leave him unprotected and potentially lose Leddy to Seattle for nothing.”
Leddy will enter the final season of the seven-year, $38,500,000 deal he signed with the Islanders back in 2015. He carries a $5,500,000 cap hit and is still a productive defenceman, having logged 21:35 per game in 2021 while scoring 31 points over the course of 56 games.
New York’s choice when it comes to protecting defenders will ultimately come down to either Leddy or @Scott Mayfield. While Leddy is the better player, Mayfield carries an easier contract at $1,450,000 annually for two more seasons.
Losing Leddy for nothing wouldn’t be ideal, but moving him for draft picks and prospects would give the Islanders cap room to re-sign veterans such as @Casey Cizikas, @Kyle Palmieri, and @Andy Greene this summer.