The St. Louis Blues find themselves navigating a difficult salary cap situation as they look for ways to clear some space. One option on the table is trading veteran defenseman Nick Leddy.
Leddy, 33, has two years remaining on his current contract with a cap hit of $4 million per season. Acquired by the Blues at the 2022 trade deadline, Leddy made an immediate impact on the team, helping them advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blues were impressed enough to re-sign Leddy to a four-year deal at the conclusion of the season.
Despite the Blues’ recent struggles, Leddy has quietly been a positive presence on the team. Over the past two full seasons, he has averaged about 22 minutes of ice time per game while taking fewer than a penalty minute per game. This disciplined play is crucial, as Leddy’s time on the ice often overlaps with key scoring opportunities for the Blues, who average two goals per game when he is playing.
While advanced statistics may not all be glowing, it is clear that Leddy contributes positively to the team when he is on the ice. His value is evident, especially when compared to other potential trade options among Blues defensemen.
In light of the Blues’ cap constraints, trading Leddy may be the most viable option to free up space. By potentially retaining some salary or including incentives, St. Louis could sweeten the deal for a contending team looking to add a solid defenseman. The Blues could still save money in the process while providing Leddy a chance to contribute to a team in playoff contention.
Overall, Leddy remains a valuable and reliable player who could benefit a team with postseason aspirations. As the Blues explore their options, trading Leddy emerges as a strategic move to address their salary cap challenges.
