Nick Leddy trades first domino in Islanders expansion draft, salary cap moves

The day is here. Protection lists for extension projects are due today. Although they won’t be officially announced until tomorrow, it’s likely the news will be leaked, even about the notoriously low-key islanders of the Lou era. So keep your eyes peeled for this and probably a signature.

If you missed it last night (and there was a lot of reaction in the morning thread now ironically titled ‘No News’ and in our Leddy trade post), Islanders have found a taker for Nick Leddy so to alleviate their situation, even getting a trump card (a draft pick) or two (half of Richard Panik’s contract, plus perhaps Richard Panik’s actual use) in return. But that opens up the need to expose another defender for the expansion draft. Which means that a low level signing could happen?

Considering all that Leddy has done for the islands, it seems a little insensitive to be all, “Whew! It worked well ”on the trade. This would not have happened if the pandemic and fixed salary cap situations had not been in effect. What if the Islanders had perhaps handled other engagements better. But anyway, their approach got them to two finals, and Leddy was definitely a part of it. So: mixed feelings today.

The Leddy Trade (and other Islander news)

• A good outcome of a difficult situation for Lou. [LHH]
• The 52nd overall choice, 50% salary retention and Panik. Not bad. [NHL]
• This affects the planning of the expansion project, but more importantly, it erases some caps. [Newsday]
• What’s next after this trade? The aforementioned signing / addition of a defenseman for the expansion draft. [Staple at The Athletic]
• Maybe Panik gets a part in the middle of the six. (Hopefully Barry Trotz can channel it in the right direction, but if they have to bury it in the miners, that’s also doable.) [Post]

• Winging It reactions to Motown: initial excitement, then some trepidation

• Slightly outdated (Leddy was indeed traded) but still very relevant this morning: Staple outlined the factors at play for the Islands ahead of the expansion draft. [Athletic]
• Also: While Zach Parise will go for a comfortable (and probably affordable) fit (so: Islanders and Lou?), Ryan Suter is going to come up with plenty of deals that aren’t necessarily cheap. [Athletic]

I’ll miss you…

Elsewhere

Update on Oilers fans, whose misery is both sad and very entertaining …

• Just a day after the word was “Oilers and Adam Larsson are talking, they just need to talk a little more”, now the word is Larsson is going to explore free will. [Athletic]
• Reviewing the timing of Duncan Keith’s trade … doesn’t look right for Ken Holland. [TSN]
• For example: While the Ryan Suter buyout came as a surprise to most, the Keith Yandle buyout gives teams another option. [Litter Box Cats]
• Maybe the Bruins will be on Yandle and others? [Athletic]
• But anyway, back to the Canadian GMs torched by their fans, here’s a Q&A with Canucks GM Jim Benning. [Sportsnet]
• Still no movement between the Avalanche and the UFA and Captain Gabriel Landeskog. [TSN]
• After 15 seasons with the Canucks, Alex Edler will leave and hit the market. [NHL]
• Of course, Pat Maroon is the spokesperson for sobriety during the Cup celebrations and blames the damage to the chalice entirely on the rain. [Post]