Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic speculated on the future of defenseman Nick Leddy and the St. Louis Blues. Rutherford doesn’t think the Blues can count on more than bottom-pairing minutes from the veteran rearguard, who has one year remaining on his contract after this season at a $4MM cap hit. The 33-year-old is out with a lower-body injury and appeared close to a return as he was travelling with the team on their road trip. However, the injury flared up, and he was forced to return to St. Louis.
The former Stanley Cup Champion has played just four games this season after playing a full slate of games last year. He hasn’t posted any points this year, but he did tally three goals and 25 assists last season, which were his best offensive numbers since the shortened 2020-21 season while he was a member of the Islanders.
In other morning notes:
- Josh Yohe of The Athletic writes that Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby wasn’t thrilled with some fans who attended last night’s 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Crosby, who is notoriously positive, commented on the Penguins winning five of their last seven games, saying, “You wouldn’t know it tonight. Would you? I mean, getting booed on the power play (in the third period.)” The Penguins were down 4-2 at the time and weren’t generating much with the man advantage. However, the club has turned around in recent weeks and was coming off arguably their best game of the season on Saturday against Toronto. Crosby showed visible frustration at the end of last night’s game, smashing his stick after Colorado scored an empty netter to clinch the game.
- Penguins’ backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic took a puck to the face while sitting on the bench last night in the Penguins’ loss (as per Josh Yohe of The Athletic). The 28-year-old was hit under his right eye by a puck in the first period and came back out in the second period sporting a black eye. Nedeljkovic told reporters that he would be fine, so it doesn’t appear to be a cause for concern going forward. The Penguins haven’t received great goaltending this season from Nedeljkovic as he has struggled to a 4-5-3 record with a 3.37 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage.
Sid, you may think you did something great winning 5 of 7 but after that, you’re still in 7th place in the Metro. The fans get to boo.
I find it odd he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, they have an old team, that hasn’t shown much last couple. If he’s sick of losing, he could have went to a winner? I’ve never played anything high level, but if I’m him, and recognizing how short time is, I’d okay a trade, it would actually help the Pitts organization. Some of these players get so hung up on themselves and legacy and all this crap. Go have fun, play hockey, and make millions, don’t take yourself so serious.
I’m not so sure that Crosby would deny a trade at this point. But to be the GM that trades Crosby is signing your own pink slip. Can’t help but think how he’d look on the Rangers first line.
Yinzgrates.
Whats Ned save percentage on pucks to the face?
I think Sid thought by sacrificing millions of dollars on the open market for the same fans who are boing the team he’d get more patience. If they have no signs of life by trade deadline, are booing the team, and are just dead in the water- Crosby has to see the fun Ovie is having and say he wants to be part of a playoff race again. and That would kickstart the Pitt rebuild especially if they can include Letang/Karlson in the same deal.