The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan’s Friday notebook focuses on Joe Veleno’s promotion to the Wings’ second line, but Kulfan also discusses Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill’s first-quarter impressions of Nick Leddy’s on and off-ice performances:
Defenseman Nick Leddy played the last seven seasons with the Islanders, helping New York to consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances the last two seasons.
Acquired by the Wings in July for forward Richard Panik and a 2021 second-round pick, Leddy has seven points (all assists) in 24 games, with a minus-8 rating.
Blashill likes what Leddy has brought to the locker room.
“He’s got a really good veteran presence to him,” Blashill said. “He’s really good with our younger players, or even our middle-aged players, so to speak. He has a good way about him, calm, he helps talk through situations with his partner, whoever he’s playing with. He’s a dynamic skater.”
Blashill feels there’s another level with Leddy.
“We’re in a spot where we need him to be on top of his game every single night and he’s getting there,” Blashill said. “That consistency is critical. In our defense corps, you’re not going to hide necessarily if you’re not having a good night. You got to make sure you’re on top of your game every night. That’s an area he can continue to improve, but he’s done a good job for us.”
I am not sure Leddy would be as kind as Blashill about his own play. Anyway , I hope he finds his groove with a new and quite different team. Blashill is no Barry Trotz