{"id":114671,"date":"2021-07-16T23:06:40","date_gmt":"2021-07-17T03:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=114671"},"modified":"2021-07-16T23:06:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-17T03:06:40","slug":"islanders-nick-leddy-trade-red-wings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/07\/16\/islanders-nick-leddy-trade-red-wings\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Islanders Trade Nick Leddy to Detroit Red Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Islanders<\/a> have announced they have traded Nick Leddy<\/a> to the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick and forward Richard Panik<\/a>. Detroit is retaining 50% of Panik’s salary.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/detroitredwings\/status\/1416188412042924035?s=25<\/p>\n

Nick Leddy Traded to Detroit<\/h2>\n

Nick Leddy has been a name involved in trades since the Islanders were eliminated from the playoffs. His $5.5 million contract was a tricky one now that New York needs to sign three restricted free agents. Anthony Beauvillier<\/a>, Adam Pelech<\/a> and Ilya Sorokin<\/a> will not be cheap. Many were doubtful about a Leddy trade, given his slight decline over the past season but apparently, Detroit saw something on him.<\/p>\n

The Red Wings get in Leddy a veteran presence and a good blue liner that can make a difference when needed. He was drafted 16th overall in 2009 by the Minnesota Wild<\/a> and traded to the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> in 2010. He spent four seasons with the Blackhawks, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 2010. On October 2014, Leddy was traded to the Island where he has been ever since.<\/p>\n

He was an important piece for the Islanders in the seven seasons he spent with the team. Leddy was one of their best defenceman and a huge veteran presence for the team. He was one of their most important blueliners in the past two years, getting back-to-back appearances in the Conference Finals. It’s not going to be easy for them or their fans but letting him go was the best decision.<\/p>\n

What Comes Next For The Islanders<\/h3>\n

In return for Leddy, the Islanders got Richard Panik, who scored 13 points in 48 games last season. Panik was traded by the Washington Capitals<\/a> at this year’s trade deadline. Throughout his 11-year NHL career, he has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes<\/a>, Washington and Detroit. However, he is not the biggest star in this trade. With Detroit retaining 50% of his salary, New York has now opened little more than $4 million in cap space. A much-needed relief for their fans, who were thinking about what would need to be done to sign their free agents.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>