Chicago Blackhawks: Stan Bowman’s 7 Worst Trades as GM

4. Nick Leddy (2014)

The Nick Leddy trade ended up being a bust. For example, right now he is cheaper than Keith and Seabrook and is playing at an elite level still. When he was traded, he was worth $2,700,000 AAV.

In 258 games, Leddy had 20 goals and 73 assists. The 93 points aren’t terrible for a defenseman. As he’s gotten older, he has found a lot more success. In 710 career games, Leddy has 304 points.

Leddy is just 28 and would be a great fixture on the Blackhawks blue-line. Calvin de Haan and Olli Maatta are being paid over $8,000,000 AAV combined and they haven’t made a difference on the ice. I understand de Haan is injured, but Leddy was always an iron man. He didn’t miss a single game after his rookie campaign.

Leddy is worth $5,500,000 AAV right now. Like mentioned early, that is cheaper than both Keith and Seabrook. His contract runs through 2021-22, which would have helped the Blackhawks. $5,500,000 AAV is a great value for Leddy.

Trade Details:

Feel free to say “WHO?” Anders Nilsson was also involved with that trade, but it was just his signing rights. He would never play a game as a Blackhawk. Nilsson is a career-loser as a goalie. He is 59-71-15.

Was It Worth It?

This might be the worst trade Bowman has made. Well, second worst. We’ll get to the worst trade ever. I think everyone knows which one that is.

The fact is, the Blackhawks lost out on an elite defenseman for guys that wouldn’t make an impact in Chicago. It’s one of those head-scratching trades. It’s a trade that a team like the Penguins wouldn’t make. That’s why they’ve been so successful with Sidney Crosby.

Crosby’s Penguins rarely miss the playoffs. They are built the same way as the Blackhawks. The only difference is making the playoffs. The idiotic moves by Bowman have kept this team out of the playoffs.