Good question. Late first rounder and a good prospect.

With all due respect to your observation, Leddy can skate (like few players in the league can), shoot, pass and man the point on the PP. Will mix it up a bit too. Not contact averse. Not great defensively, but improving and young. Plus he knows how to play a style that every team in the league is now trying to emulate.

Just don't undervalue this kid either. He is highly regarded in terms of what he has shown he can do, and what he might grow into.

When someone says you don't need any more offensive defensemen, take a look around the league. everyone is looking for puck movers now. Regardless of size.
- John Jaeckel

No offense but thats not happening. You've been reportedly shopping this kid since before the draft. The hawks HAVE too dump a player and leddy seems to be unanimously the odd man out even though hes an excellent young player with incredible upside evidently. Being that the hawks are cap strapped I highly doubt you get a first (late or not especially in the upcoming draft) and a "good" prospect. You arent exactly dealing from a position of strength.

I will take the opinions of people paid to scout hockey players over 1/2 of a fan base any day. You should too.

Just saying, Leddy is more highly regarded by people who make their living in hockey than apparently you think.

There is no fanboy thing here. Personally, I'd rather see the Hawks keep him. I do talk to scouts and hockey people. This is what they tell me. And I've watched the game, going back to Bobby Orr for over 45 years. This kid is a pretty good hockey player and has abilities you can't coach that he will grow into (most likely) over time.
- John Jaeckel

Not speaking of leddy when I say this, but we've all seen plenty of hockey people get things wrong all the time. Not saying a hyper sensitive fan base is going to be more correct, but that it raises concerns.

I still have a hard time understanding why the hawks even with the talent they have would trade a young defenseman with so much upside? It actually makes zero sense. You find other ways to find space. Irregardless, what would you expect in return? Completely dismiss the idea of lee or strome. Neither is happening. Id kill snow myself if someone else didnt beat me to it. Realisitically what would you expect in return?
- Cptmjl

Because his agent is not someone they get along with and it is rumored he will demand $3-$4 million on his next deal. Which they can't afford. Essentially, they like Oduya who has told them he will play ball with them on his next deal to stay in Chicago. Their window is now, not five years from now. That's why.

No offense but thats not happening. You've been reportedly shopping this kid since before the draft. The hawks HAVE too dump a player and leddy seems to be unanimously the odd man out even though hes an excellent young player with incredible upside evidently. Being that the hawks are cap strapped I highly doubt you get a first (late or not especially in the upcoming draft) and a "good" prospect. You arent exactly dealing from a position of strength.
- Cptmjl

You might be right.

But all it takes is getting 2-3 teams interested and all that changes. I have heard that in the last 24 hours the Hawks have talked to 3-4 teams minimum. Allegedly about Leddy.

Because his agent is not someone they get along with and it is rumored he will demand $3-$4 million on his next deal. Which they can't afford. Essentially, they like Oduya who has told them he will play ball with them on his next deal to stay in Chicago. Their window is now, not five years from now. That's why.
- John Jaeckel

chicago has been a team to keep what they need and deal with it when it's time, if leddy is such a big piece of the team, why would they be looking to weaken their "win now" position by moving him for a prospect and a pick? that says to me they believe he's replaceable which is fine, but again, his style is not what we need atm. Look at our prospects on d, there's at least 3-4 that we have that fit the same style and as a whole, we're desperate for someone like oduya, which leddy doesn't bring us at all.

You might be right.

But all it takes is getting 2-3 teams interested and all that changes. I have heard that in the last 24 hours the Hawks have talked to 3-4 teams minimum. Allegedly about Leddy.
- John Jaeckel

I have no doubt he has some value, and to a team that needs offense from the back end he will have a lot of interest. For us though, it's adding another piece that doesn't fit the need.

Because his agent is not someone they get along with and it is rumored he will demand $3-$4 million on his next deal. Which they can't afford. Essentially, they like Oduya who has told them he will play ball with them on his next deal to stay in Chicago. Their window is now, not five years from now. That's why.
- John Jaeckel

So let me get this straight. A kid with tremendous upside who you say will be a legit top four on just about any team besides the hawks is only going to ask for 3 to 4 million? You dont see anything wrong with that scenario when a player like Andrew MacDonald already set the market at 5.5 million for a "supposed" top four? Is anyone else having a hard time with this?

I kind of got to the point with Okposo that I looked at him leveling out as a good 3rd liner(which I was fine with BTW) but the lock out shortened season first half he looked so bad I wanted him gone till January when he changed everyone's mind.
- Cptmjl

Wasn't he coming back from shoulder surgery that season? Also, didn't Dion light him up that pre-season, as well? Would explain his lack of confidence a bit. Still think he is a little shy to use his size and plays more like a smaller, skilled 165lb player. If he had just a bit of a temper....that could be scary(good).

You might be right.

But all it takes is getting 2-3 teams interested and all that changes. I have heard that in the last 24 hours the Hawks have talked to 3-4 teams minimum. Allegedly about Leddy.
- John Jaeckel

If a bidding war starts anything is possible I guess. Especially if boston trades one of their D and the hawks are the last option for a d man. There seems to be the demand.

Wasn't he coming back from shoulder surgery that season? Also, didn't Dion light him up that pre-season, as well? Would explain his lack of confidence a bit. Still think he is a little shy to use his size and plays more like a smaller, skilled 165lb player. If he had just a bit of a temper....that could be scary(good).
- jmo16

Agreed. He was given the power forward label by the islanders themselves. He always shyed away from that description of himself. He turned it up a notch in game two against the pens when he lit up niskanen. That was his real turning point imo.

You might be right.

But all it takes is getting 2-3 teams interested and all that changes. I have heard that in the last 24 hours the Hawks have talked to 3-4 teams minimum. Allegedly about Leddy.
- John Jaeckel

Welcome JJ to our thread... always nice to have another blogger give his/her insight or opinions....

Agreed. He was given the power forward label by the islanders themselves. He always shyed away from that description of himself. He turned it up a notch in game two against the pens when he lit up niskanen. That was his real turning point imo.
- Cptmjl

that point seems like when the switch was flipped. He's been a lot more physically assertive since then.

Welcome JJ to our thread... always nice to have another blogger give his/her insight or opinions....
- Ur Not Me

the welcome may come with somewhat heated discussion, but it genuinely does add some good conversation.

I have no doubt he has some value, and to a team that needs offense from the back end he will have a lot of interest. For us though, it's adding another piece that doesn't fit the need.
- Isles_since_6

Our scoring from the back end isnt exactly turning heads. A healthy vis will help of course but its notlike we dont have a need for a pp defenseman. I know we really need a stay at home type but the way the league is now the back end is all about mobility. Dont get me wrong I'm not on the leddy train but I fond it funny when islander fans say we dont need an offensive minded d man

Welcome JJ to our thread... always nice to have another blogger give his/her insight or opinions....
- Ur Not Me

Absolutely.

chicago has been a team to keep what they need and deal with it when it's time, if leddy is such a big piece of the team, why would they be looking to weaken their "win now" position by moving him for a prospect and a pick? that says to me they believe he's replaceable which is fine, but again, his style is not what we need atm. Look at our prospects on d, there's at least 3-4 that we have that fit the same style and as a whole, we're desperate for someone like oduya, which leddy doesn't bring us at all.
- Isles_since_6

Because they have better depth 1-4 on D than 95% of the teams in the league, that's why. And he can be a second pairing guy on a lot of teams right now. This is a circular argument. You need to just loo at the facts. I think, if Leddy gets dealt, you will be surprised what Chicago gets for him.

Still not eager to trade Josh. We were the same way with KO and he broke out like a teenager's face last season.

Josh is two years younger than KO was last season.

Also Josh is well above average defensively, easily a middle 6 forward with potential to be top 6
- Danformo

Bailey is periphery player or "floater" whose reluctance to shoot the puck and go to the dirty areas is a continued source of concern. KO prior to "breaking thru" played hard and went to the net and was not afraid to go into the corners. His hard work finally paid off. I Don't see Bailey as part of the solution going forward.

Welcome JJ to our thread... always nice to have another blogger give his/her insight or opinions....
- Ur Not Me

Thx,

Again, not trying to be a Chicago fanboy either. I am a Hawk "fan" who is higher than most on Leddy just because his physical abilities are so high and it takes d-men awhile to mature. And he HAS gotten better.

Our scoring from the back end isnt exactly turning heads. A healthy vis will help of course but its notlike we dont have a need for a pp defenseman. I know we really need a stay at home type but the way the league is now the back end is all about mobility. Dont get me wrong I'm not on the leddy train but I fond it funny when islander fans say we dont need an offensive minded d man
- Cptmjl

Not the best phrasing, I admit. I'd rather see us give Donovan more time than give up an asset for Leddy, especially if the ask is a 1st and a good prospect. I'm also more concerned about keeping pucks out of our net, but I understand what you're saying. This is not suggest I think Donovan is at the same level, only that I feel we have a greater need for a defensive defenseman.

Not the best phrasing, I admit. I'd rather see us give Donovan more time than give up an asset for Leddy, especially if the ask is a 1st and a good prospect. I'm also more concerned about keeping pucks out of our net, but I understand what you're saying. This is not suggest I think Donovan is at the same level, only that I feel we have a greater need for a defensive defenseman.
- Isles_since_6

I agree though in an immediate and not based on "potential' sense we need anything and everything for our blue line

Because they have better depth 1-4 on D than 95% of the teams in the league, that's why. And he can be a second pairing guy on a lot of teams right now. This is a circular argument. You need to just loo at the facts. I think, if Leddy gets dealt, you will be surprised what Chicago gets for him.
- John Jaeckel

I would expect they'll find someone to give them a mid round 1st or early 2nd and a prospect, but I just don't see it as value to the Isles to give those assets up when we have multiple defensive prospects and of those at least 2-3 should be ready for the NHL as early as this season. Our need is different than what Leddy brings. I am still somewhat skeptical of how much higher his ceiling is, and whether or not the brain cramps I kept reading about are something he'll get past as he gets older and more experienced. There was a lot of disgust on your boards with Leddy over the year.

I agree though in an immediate and not based on "potential' sense we need anything and everything for our blue line
- Cptmjl

I still think our defense could be a major reason we miss the playoffs this year. I hope I'm wrong.

Bailey is periphery player or "floater" whose reluctance to shoot the puck and go to the dirty areas is a continued source of concern. KO prior to "breaking thru" played hard and went to the net and was not afraid to go into the corners. His hard work finally paid off. I Don't see Bailey as part of the solution going forward.
- Mike C

No, no and yes, he absolutely was. One of the biggest issues that most had with Okposo was that he was built like a power forward but refused to use his size. For years his go-to move was that lame fake-the-snapper backhand toe drag that worked 1% of the time.

Im a huge fan of Leddy and i think hes a solid player, if we can get him for a mid level prospect and a late pick I do it in a heartbeat. Make no mistake about it, he is not the physical presence and shutdown Dman we need. But if it's only oging to cost us a prospect a bad pick or roster player we don't need cause of our signings I make the deal cause he instantly makes our team better as he is an upgrade of strait, carkner, hickey.

I still think our defense could be a major reason we miss the playoffs this year. I hope I'm wrong.
- Isles_since_6

You do realize the Isles were middle of the pack last year in shots against. It's not they were giving up 50 shots a night. The goalie play killed us last year. Not saying the D is awesome but I don't think they are as bad as some of you think as well