$16M defenseman placed on waivers and the Detroit Red Wings have an opportunity
Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
With a $16 million defenseman placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks, the Detroit Red Wings have an opportunity to upgrade their bottom pair on Sunday.
The San Jose Sharks have utilized trades and waivers to create roster space. It was reported yesterday that they made a depth trade with the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Kyle Masters.
Today they made another roster move.
On Sunday, the San Jose Sharks waived defenseman Nick Leddy. This opens up a spot on the Sharks' bottom pairing in the lineup as the rebuild continues unabated.
Leddy, who has played 1,061 games in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings (2021-22), and San Jose Sharks, is now a free opportunity for the Red Wings to claim.
Steve Yzerman could claim Leddy off waivers, saving him from his AHL fate. It could improve the bottom pair in Detroit, giving them a chance to push Travis Hamonic or Jacob-Bernard Docker into a reserve role.
They'd be adding someone with leadership and playoff experience (137 games, 39 points).
The Detroit Red Wings could add Stanley Cup-winning experience at a bargain with the San Jose Sharks, Nick Leddy
In the NHL, right-shot defensemen come at a premium. In this case, the Red Wings could add meaningful experience and someone who has seen playoff games with every team suited up aside from the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings.
His contract is an affordable $4 million average annual value and expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
In 19 games this season with the Sharks, he's scored 4 points (4 A), with six shots on goal and 60 blocked shots. He makes an intriguing defensive option for the Red Wings, seeing as they need to load up on talent before the playoffs begin.
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