Islanders Fans Will Always Remember Nick Leddy
The Islanders sent defenseman Nick Leddy to the Detroit Red Wings earlier in the offseason.
Leddy’s legacy on Long Island will always be remembered. He ushered in a new era of winning that had not been seen since the Islanders dynasty.
The 30-year-old came to the Islanders right before the start of the 2014 season when the organization was at one of its lowest points. In the prior eight seasons, the Islanders had only made the playoffs one time.
Leddy was the perfect person to help turn the organization around.
In a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Islanders acquired Leddy in exchange for defensemen T.J. Brennan and Ville Pokka, along with the rights to restricted free agent goaltender Anders Nilsson. The Islanders also received goaltender Kent Simpson.
The Blackhawks had just lost to the Kings in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals and needed to clear cap space. The Islanders desperately needed help on the backend.
Leddy brought something missing from the Islanders for a long time: a winning mindset. Although Leddy was only 23-years-old, he won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and played in 54 playoff games. He was also a young gifted defenseman with speed and agility who was instrumental in the power-play.
The Eden Prairie, Minn. native played 518 games with the Islanders. In those 518 games, he scored 45 goals and recorded 243 points.
In his first season in the blue and orange in 2015, Leddy helped the Islanders push the Capitals to Game 7, where the Islanders ultimately lost 2-1. In 2016, Leddy was a key piece for the Islanders, who won their first playoff series in 23 years. In 2019, Leddy helped the Islanders sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins, and in 2020 and 2021, Leddy helped the Islanders reach the Eastern Conference Final in back-to-back seasons.
Leddy helped turned the Islanders into a legitimate contender. And for that, he will always be remembered.
Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.
