Red Wings acquire Nick Leddy



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The Red Wings added to their background ahead of tomorrow’s trading freeze, acquiring the defenseman Nick leddy Islanders in exchange for the winger Richard panics and the 52nd overall pick in this month’s draft. Detroit also retains 50% of Panik’s contract, using the first of its three salary maintenance slots. The two teams announced the exchange.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Leddy was being bought out to avoid the risk of losing him to Seattle in the next expansion project. The 30-year-old has recorded consistent minutes over his seven years with the Islanders, averaging over 21 minutes per game for each of the past six seasons. Leddy even had a year of offensive rebounding last season, totaling 31 points in 56 games. However, with the Islanders having over $ 77 million in commitments for next season with several key players in need of new contracts, money had to be moved and Leddy’s $ 5.5 million price tag became the victim.

Panik was acquired as Washington’s wage ballast on the trade deadline as part of the Anthony mantha agreement and is once again in motion as a wage ballast in this trade. He has two years left on his contract with a $ 2.75 million AAV, so with Detroit retaining half that price, New York is freeing up a $ 4.125 million cap with the move. They also get a pretty high draft pick and Panik at a cost of $ 1.375B is useful for someone who is best served as a role player at this point in their career after seeing their offensive numbers drop for four. consecutive seasons at just 13 in 48 games in 2020-21.

Meanwhile, Leddy immediately becomes one of Detroit’s best defenders, but with his age and his contract expiring next summer, he certainly doesn’t feel like he’ll be a long-term item on their. rear, especially since they are still in rebuild mode. Instead, he’s someone who seems like a strong candidate to be brought closer to the trade deadline, perhaps with some salary retention as well to allow a competitor to add him later in the round. season when he may be able to recover the second -rounder they gave up here.

As for the New York expansion situation, it ensures that they won’t lose Leddy for free but still asks a few questions. Each team must leave at least one signed defender without protection who has played in at least 54 games in the past two years (or played in 27 games this season). Islanders only have three in Ryan pulock, Adam pelech, and Scott mayfield. Presumably, these are the three they want to keep, so they will now have to acquire or sign a defender to serve as a mandatory unprotected player before the rosters are submitted on Saturday. Veterans Braydon Coburn and Andy Greene meet the requirements of the games being played, so a one-year contract for them would meet the requirement.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. Contract information courtesy of CapFriendly.

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