Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season (so far): Nick Leddy

I would like to see the Islanders move Leddy before his value drops. There are several pieces in the organization that can fill the primary role. Moving him could help the top six. Not sold on his offensive numbers and he is horrible defensively.

I would like to see the Islanders move Leddy before his value drops. There are several pieces in the organization that can fill the primary role. Moving him could help the top six. Not sold on his offensive numbers and he is horrible defensively.
- Nfdbulldawg

He is certainly inconsistent, that's for sure. I'm not sure I'd say he's horrible however. He is the best skating d-man the Isles have. He is able to skate the puck end to end. (If the Isles had more and better finishers, he'd have more assists.) His ability to skate means he has an option for getting the puck out of the zone that some of the other d-men lack.

This season exposed the Isles' lack of depth on D. I wouldn't trade Leddy, unless I was getting really good value in return.

I would like to see the Islanders move Leddy before his value drops. There are several pieces in the organization that can fill the primary role. Moving him could help the top six. Not sold on his offensive numbers and he is horrible defensively.
- Nfdbulldawg

I don’t agree with this. Like most defenseman he has his gaffes but overall he’s not bad defensively. Skates the puck out of our zone pretty well.

Gentlemen, I would not disagree that one of Leddy's assets is ability to rush the puck. no one can deny this. However with the emergence of Dobson and Pelech, Leddy's role will decrease. It would make more sense to move him while he still has value.

Gentlemen, I would not disagree that one of Leddy's assets is ability to rush the puck. no one can deny this. However with the emergence of Dobson and Pelech, Leddy's role will decrease. It would make more sense to move him while he still has value.
- Nfdbulldawg

I don’t think anyone is debating that moving him may/may not be a bad idea bu we’re not agreeing with the whole defensively terrible description of him.

Gentlemen, I would not disagree that one of Leddy's assets is ability to rush the puck. no one can deny this. However with the emergence of Dobson and Pelech, Leddy's role will decrease. It would make more sense to move him while he still has value.
- Nfdbulldawg

Pelech has become the Isles' most reliable defensive defenseman. Dobson is still a kid and might very well start the next season at Bridgeport. If Hickey gets healthy, he is still somewhat ok as a 6/7, and Leddy becomes more expendable. But even halfway decent d-men like Leddy are not so easy to come by, and I wouldn't trade him just for the sake of unloading salary.

Pelech has become the Isles' most reliable defensive defenseman. Dobson is still a kid and might very well start the next season at Bridgeport. If Hickey gets healthy, he is still somewhat ok as a 6/7, and Leddy becomes more expendable. But even halfway decent d-men like Leddy are not so easy to come by, and I wouldn't trade him just for the sake of unloading salary.
- JohnScammo

Eeeesh....Hickey? No thank you. Dobson has a wayyy bigger upside and assuming all other dmen are healthy to start next season Dobson will be given mid-level minutes and PP time as he develops. He’s bigger than Hickey, skates as well or better- has Trot’s confidence to be a point man on 2nd PP unit- theres no reason to stall his development for an aging injury prone player who should never been more than a bottom pair dman.

Eeeesh....Hickey? No thank you. Dobson has a wayyy bigger upside and assuming all other dmen are healthy to start next season Dobson will be given mid-level minutes and PP time as he develops. He’s bigger than Hickey, skates as well or better- has Trot’s confidence to be a point man on 2nd PP unit- theres no reason to stall his development for an aging injury prone player who should never been more than a bottom pair dman.
- jmo16

I agree with this. Hickey is fine as a spare if it comes to that but Dobson should certainly be on the roster ahead of him IMO. I don't know that Dobson will see a huge increase in usage if Leddy isn't moved but I think sending him to Bridgeport would be a step backwards.

I don't think nor would I trade Leddy unless Dobson shows he can take away some of Leddy's minutes on the back end. He hasn't done it yet.
I also agree with Cpp. That Leddy isn't terrible defensively and I would go a step further and say far from it.

Stay safe Guys.

I agree with this. Hickey is fine as a spare if it comes to that but Dobson should certainly be on the roster ahead of him IMO. I don't know that Dobson will see a huge increase in usage if Leddy isn't moved but I think sending him to Bridgeport would be a step backwards.
- Ben Shelley

I don't think it would be a step backwards if he starts the season there. He would get big minutes in all situations in BP and that in my mind wouldn't be bad for his development and confidence.
Similar to Toews he can work on certain aspects of his game on the D side at a bit slower and not as physical a game. Just my opinion of course.

I don't think it would be a step backwards if he starts the season there. He would get big minutes in all situations in BP and that in my mind wouldn't be bad for his development and confidence.
Similar to Toews he can work on certain aspects of his game on the D side at a bit slower and not as physical a game. Just my opinion of course.
- nyisles7

I see what you're saying and step backwards may not have been the right way to put it. I think I'd still prefer to have him get into more games this season and hope to see him become a full-time NHLer, though. I think he was adjusting and getting more comfortable and just getting stronger and getting more experience would go a long way for him. He's already patient with the puck in the offensive zone and could get more PP time. I think if part-way through the season he hasn't been able to start rounding out his game and is still losing defensive zone battles, maybe he gets sent down then. But I'd at least start him in the NHL.

I don't think nor would I trade Leddy unless Dobson shows he can take away some of Leddy's minutes on the back end. He hasn't done it yet.
I also agree with Cpp. That Leddy isn't terrible defensively and I would go a step further and say far from it.

Stay safe Guys.
- nyisles7

I understand what you guys are saying, but if you wait to long me fear is that other teams will view as dealing from a point of weakness. If you start to make the move of Leddy now you are dealing from strength. You shop him under the radar, if you do not like what you are getting no harm no foul you keep him. This team needs to booster the top 6. More importantly a finisher for Barzy. You have to give up something to get something. I do not think this kills the team.

Be safe.

I understand what you guys are saying, but if you wait to long me fear is that other teams will view as dealing from a point of weakness. If you start to make the move of Leddy now you are dealing from strength. You shop him under the radar, if you do not like what you are getting no harm no foul you keep him. This team needs to booster the top 6. More importantly a finisher for Barzy. You have to give up something to get something. I do not think this kills the team.

Be safe.
- Nfdbulldawg

You as well.

If Dobson proves himself as an everyday NHLer than you are dealing from strength because then you can afford to trade Leddy and feel assured his minutes and production will not be lost.
If you deal Leddy and find Dobson still isn't up to par you have weakened your D and that's not what you want to do. Again when Dobson is ready now you're covered on D and in a position of strength to trade a D man ( Leddy ) and acquire a top 6 forward which we all agree is needed.

You as well.

If Dobson proves himself as an everyday NHLer than you are dealing from strength because then you can afford to trade Leddy and feel assured his minutes and production will not be lost.
If you deal Leddy and find Dobson still isn't up to par you have weakened your D and that's not what you want to do. Again when Dobson is ready now you're covered on D and in a position of strength to trade a D man ( Leddy ) and acquire a top 6 forward which we all agree is needed.
- nyisles7

If Lou can deal Ladd for anything more than a bag of pucks then Leddy’s salary v. Performance isnt as big an issue. Right now, he may be the best option to make a meaningful trade for more scoring but it would be wrong to trade him as just a salary dump. It will also have to be a package with a high draft pick and/or a decent prospect to bring back a top 6 fwd. We have other dmen developing. Mayfield, Aho and Wilde will each have another year of development. It’s no secret Lou is very high on Dobson’s ability.