Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Stan Bowman Moves I Wish Were April Fools Jokes

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OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 07: New York Islanders Defenceman Nick Leddy (2) prepares for a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators on March 7, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3 – The Nick Leddy Trade

In this move the Chicago Blackhawks traded Nick Leddy and goalie Kent Simpson to the New York Islanders in exchange for T.J. Brennan, Ville Pokka and goalie Anders Nilsson.

In Leddy’s five seasons with the Islanders, he has 191 points in 399 games, with an average time on ice of 21:57.

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His +/- numbers have been horrendous the past two seasons and he’s struggled as a top pairing guy. Still, this year he’s shown he has the ability to be a decent no. 3, 4 or 5 guy on a team looking for a defensemen to put them over the edge.

Fortunately for the Islanders, that’s what they need. Leddy’s defensive struggles the past two years lead us to believe that this trade isn’t as bad as we think, however once you explore what the ‘Hawks got in return that stance begins to change.

T.J. Brennan, one of three players acquired by Chicago in this deal, never played an NHL game for the Blackhawks and was later dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Spencer Abbott. Abbott played in a single game for the ‘Hawks during the 2016-17 season.

Villle Pokka was supposed to be one of the Blackhawks next up and coming defensive prospects, but I’m sure you know how that one played out. Pokka never saw a minute of NHL ice time and was later traded to the Ottawa Senators for a bag of rocks named Christopher Didomenico (perhaps that’s a bit harsh?).

Finally, the last piece the Blackhawks got in return for Leddy was Anders Nilsson. At least he panned out, right?

Well, he hasn’t been a complete bust… for the Ottawa Senators. This season he is 10-11-0 with a .903 SV% and 3.02 GAA. Nevertheless, the ‘Hawks traded him to the Edmonton Oilers back in 2015 for Liam Coughlin who is an unsigned Blackhawks prospect currently playing out his fourth season at the University of Vermont.

I’m as big a Vermont fan as the next guy, but it’s hard to say that Leddy wouldn’t help the current Chicago Blackhawks more than what they received in return. Hindsight remains 20/20.

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