If the Maple Leafs are looking to double down on the kind of savvy, low-risk defensive depth move that paid off with Troy Stecher, there’s a new name on the waiver wire that could fit the mold: Nick Leddy. But while the fit on the ice might make sense, the financial side of things is where it gets complicated.
Let’s start with what Toronto’s already done. When the Leafs scooped up Stecher off waivers from Edmonton, it looked like a stopgap move-just a bit of injury insurance during a stretch when the blue line was looking thin.
Instead, Stecher has quickly carved out a real role under Craig Berube. He’s been logging serious minutes, trusted in all situations, and bringing exactly the kind of transitional play that helps this Leafs team stay on the front foot.
He’s not just filling in-he’s contributing.
That’s why the idea of adding another veteran defenseman like Leddy has some appeal. With Chris Tanev out, Toronto’s defensive depth is being tested again, and Leddy brings a resume that includes over 1,000 NHL games, a Stanley Cup ring from his time in Chicago, and a long stint as a steady presence on the Islanders’ back end.
Leddy, currently with the San Jose Sharks, is hitting waivers again. He’s in the final year of a $4 million contract, and while his numbers this season-four assists in 19 games, 26 blocked shots, a minus-9 rating in just over 17 minutes per night-don’t jump off the page, there’s still value in what he brings.
Much like Stecher, Leddy’s recent stat line doesn’t tell the whole story. He’s a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman who can still help a team that needs someone to eat minutes and move the puck efficiently out of the zone.
But here’s the catch: the money. Claiming Leddy off waivers means taking on his full $4 million cap hit, and that’s a tough ask for a Leafs team already tight against the ceiling.
Sure, there’s the possibility of using some of Chris Tanev’s LTIR relief to make it work, but if Toronto’s front office is eyeing a bigger splash closer to the trade deadline, every dollar counts. Committing to Leddy now could limit their flexibility down the road.
At 34 years old, Leddy’s not the player he once was, but he’s still capable of stabilizing a blue line when used in the right role. Over his 16-year NHL career, he’s racked up 420 points (75 goals, 345 assists), blocked over 1,100 shots, and delivered nearly 850 hits. He’s been around the block, and that kind of experience can be invaluable-especially come playoff time.
So is this a Stecher 2.0 situation? Maybe.
The Leafs could benefit from another veteran presence on the back end, especially one who can help with puck movement and keep the game calm under pressure. But unlike Stecher, who came at a bargain, Leddy’s price tag makes this a tougher call.
If Toronto wants to bring him in, they’ll need to get creative with the cap-and they’ll have to weigh whether Leddy’s value now is worth potentially limiting their options later. It’s a classic case of short-term need versus long-term planning. And with the trade deadline inching closer, every move counts.