Nick Leddy’s long NHL journey has hit another turning point. The 34-year-old defenseman has been placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks, a move that signals a roster shake-up in the wake of returning players and the emergence of top prospect Michael Misa, who’s now passed the 10-game threshold.
Leddy has appeared in 19 games for the Sharks this season, registering four assists and a minus-9 rating while averaging 17:30 of ice time. Those numbers tell part of the story - Leddy’s ice time reflects a player still trusted to log regular minutes, but the minus rating underscores the defensive struggles that have plagued San Jose all season. With the roster getting healthier and younger, Leddy’s spot became expendable.
If he clears waivers, Leddy is expected to report to the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL - a significant shift for a player who’s logged over 1,000 NHL games.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Leddy. After spending four seasons with the St.
Louis Blues, he was waived this past offseason and claimed by San Jose. His stint in St.
Louis followed a 2022 trade that sent him and Luke Witkowski from the Detroit Red Wings to the Blues in exchange for Oskar Sundqvist, Jake Walman, and a 2023 second-round pick. Leddy played 211 games in a Blues uniform, tallying nine goals and 64 points - solid numbers for a steady, puck-moving blueliner.
The challenge now is his $4 million cap hit. That’s a tough number for most teams to absorb midseason, especially for a depth piece. But Leddy’s resume - 1,061 NHL games, a Stanley Cup ring with Chicago, and years of top-four experience - could be tempting for a contender looking to shore up its third pairing or add veteran leadership down the stretch.
Still, the most likely scenario is that Leddy clears waivers. If that happens, he’ll bring a wealth of experience to the Barracuda locker room, and potentially play a mentorship role for the Sharks’ younger prospects developing in the AHL.
For now, this move is less about what Leddy can or can’t do, and more about where the Sharks are headed. With Misa stepping into a larger role and injured players returning, the team is clearly prioritizing youth and future development. Leddy’s departure - whether temporary or permanent - is part of that transition.