The Islanders have traded defenseman Nick Leddy to the Detriot Red Wings. In exchange, they have received forward Richard Panik and a second-round pick (52nd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. Detriot will also retain half of Panik’s salary.

This move was more than needed to clear up cap space for the Islanders. By moving Leddy to the Red Wings, the Islanders have taken on the contract of Richard Panik who makes $2.75 million for two more years. Since Detriot is retaining half of his salary, the Islanders will pay him $1.375 million for each of the next two seasons. Even with the new contract of Panik, the Islanders still saved $4.125 million in cap space to help re-sign their RFA’s and UFA’s.

Leddy would have likely been left unprotected for the upcoming Seattle Kraken expansion draft in which he very well could have been taken. Instead of him likley going to the Kraken for absolutely nothing in return the Islanders were able to gain a few assets by trading him away.

This past season Leddy had two goals and 29 assists for 32 points in 56 games played. In the playoffs, he had six assists for six points in 19 games played.

There Will Be More For The Islanders

Another move is now necessary before 3:00 p.m. on July 17 since the Islanders currently have no eligible defensemen to leave unprotected for the Kraken to select if need be. It is possible that the Islanders will re-sign Andy Greene to fill that required spot between now and then.

With about 20 hours to go until expansion protected lists are due, the #Isles currently have no eligible defensemen to leave unprotected — each team must have at least one signed D who played 27 NHL games last season on the unprotected list.

So there’s another move coming.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) July 17, 2021

Jacob

Writer for Drive4Five covering the New York Islanders.