Red Wings and Islanders pull Friday night trade!

On Friday night, the New York Islanders traded defenseman Nick Leddy to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forward Richard Panik and the 52nd selection (originally from the Edmonton Oilers) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Leddy's name has recently come up in different trade speculations. The Red Wings came out on top and acquired the blue liner's services. In 56 games this past season, Leddy recorded two goals and 29 assists with a minus-3 rating. He was was selected 16th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, but made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks, with whom he spent four seasons. 

The 30-year-old defenseman spent the last seven seasons with the Islanders. He has one season remaining on a seven-year, $38.5 million contract (average annual value $5.5 million) he signed with New York on Feb. 24, 2015.

As for Panik, he has two years remaining on a four-year, $11 million contract ($2.75 million average annual value) he signed with the Capitals on July 1, 2019., but it has been reported that the Red Wings will retain half of Panik's $2.75-million salary. He scored 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 48 games with the Red Wings and Washington Capitals this past season. 

Panik is used to moving around quite a bit. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round (No. 52) of the 2009 draft, but has played for the Red Wings, Capitals, Arizona Coyotes, Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Lightning over the course of his career. Now it's time for New York. 

The pick the Islanders received was acquired by the Red Wings from the Oilers in the trade for forward Andreas Athanasiou on Feb. 24, 2020.