Blues Place Veteran Defenseman Nick Leddy on Waivers

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The St. Louis Blues have placed veteran defenseman Nick Leddy on standard waivers as they seek a potential trade partner. The move comes after efforts to find a deal for Leddy, 34, who is entering the final year of a four-year, $16 million contract with a cap hit of $4 million, were unsuccessful.

After missing significant time last season due to a lower-body injury, Leddy played only 31 games, recording two goals and three assists for a total of five points. His average ice time dipped to 18:40 per game, marking the first time he failed to average over 20 minutes since the 2013-14 season.

The Blues had anticipated trading Leddy to allow him more ice time this season. However, with no offers received, they are now allowing any of the league’s 31 teams to claim him for free within the next 24 hours. This includes the 16 teams on his no-trade list.

If Leddy clears waivers, he has options. He could accept an assignment to the American Hockey League (AHL) while earning his guaranteed $3 million salary. Alternatively, Leddy could request a mutual contract termination, sacrificing his salary but opening the door to NHL opportunities elsewhere.

Leddy has had a prolific career, with 75 goals and 341 assists in 1,042 total NHL games played. He was a key player for the Chicago Blackhawks during their Stanley Cup-winning season in 2013 and has also played for the New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings, and Blues. St. Louis acquired Leddy from Detroit during the 2022 trade deadline, where he had previously shown significant value.

The Blues are focused on integrating younger players into their lineup, following a trend of parting ways with veteran defensemen. They opted not to re-sign another veteran this offseason as they aim to clear cap space for future trades and facilitate opportunities for players like Colton Parayko, Tyler Tucker, and Logan Mailloux.