Three Takeaways from the Red Wings Trade for Nick Leddy

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made his first move this offseason less than 24 hours before a roster freeze occurs:

While fans are still digesting the trade, here are three takeaways from the deal.

1: Red Wings Get some offensive help on the blue line

So I’m hoping this paves the way for Dennis Cholowski to get more ice time as Leddy is known more his offense than his defense. But adding Leddy certainly clouds some things (more on that in a bit). A better look:

I thought for sure a trade would come for a younger player but it could signal what was also in this tweet thread: Yzerman picking up assets to move next season for more at the trade deadline.

Leddy is coming off a decent year but he was also in a completely different universe than he will be in Detroit. He’ll be relied upon to help move the needle for a team that struggled to generate almost anything offensively, and God willing, make the power play a more consistent unit.

But it’s absolutely an upgrade for the Wings on the blue line.

2. Yzerman’s Not Going to Clearly Win Every Trade

I will stand up and admit that Steve Yzerman has been my favorite Red Wing from when I could even start writing. (While we’re here, I remember my first grade teacher asking how to pronounce his last name. Welcome to Chicago, kid). But one thing I’ve tried to be sure of when it comes to him returning to Detroit is being objective with his decisions as the general manager.

So far, I’m in the middle on the trade. I feel like this is one of those “bigger picture” trades where he’s trying to address something in the present on defense while using it as something for the future (a high draft pick in 2022). Make no mistake, this wasn’t on the same level as the Mantha trade. Don’t expect every trade will be.

When he set out his expectations for what he’ll be adding, it’s hard to not think that this is in the same vein as Panik: filling a need on the ice but most likely used later in something for the future.

But he’s not going to fleece Lou. Just like Lou won’t fleece him. But I will say the second round pick seemed a little much in this one–especially if they were helping the Islanders clear some salary.

Honestly, to see them take on that much salary–and retaining some–I figured it would be the other way around–them getting a pick in return. But shedding Panik opens up a spot up front while addressing a hole on the blue line–at least for the time being–while hoping to get some value at the trade deadline next year.

3.  Red Wings Have Someone to Pair with Moritz Seider

When writing about whether Detroit should pursue any of the recent buy outs, the idea of bringing aboard Keith Yandle (because there’s zero chance Ryan Suter is coming to Detroit) was to help the offense at a cheaper price while being a potential pairing with Seider.

Now it’s a non-issue with Leddy on the roster. Now with Filip Hronek, Seider, Troy Stecher (unless he ends up not being protected for the expansion draft), and Leddy there, it’s a little more clear on the blue line without factoring in Gustav Lindstrom, Cholowski, and Danny DeKeyser. It remains to be seen if Marc Staal is re-signed. Either way, Leddy takes a spot on the protected list which means two of the three of Stecher, Lindstrom or Cholowski won’t be.

Leddy certainly fills a gap on the ice and this certainly kicks off one of what should be several moves Detroit will make.

It doesn’t move the needle, but it’s not a loss, either. It’s just another step in the rebuild.