Avalanche divisional rivals cut ties with $4 million Stanley Cup winning defenseman

The Sharks claimed veteran Stanley Cup champion Nick Leddy off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, shortly after signing fellow blueliner Dmitry Orlov, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Sportsnet reports that Leddy, 34, had spent the last thee-plus seasons with St. Louis but is coming off a year where he was limited to just 31 games, posting two goals and three assists.

He's now heading into the final year of a four-year deal that carries a $4 million annual cap hit.

The Blues had reportedly been actively shopping Leddy in hopes of finding a trade partner, but despite their efforts, no deal had come together before he was ultimately placed on waivers.

The lack of trade interest may have been influenced by his recent injury history, age, or the remaining term and cap hit on his contract. With no takers via trade, the Sharks seized the opportunity to claim the veteran defenseman, adding experience to their blue line without giving up any assets in return.

Now, he joins a up-and-coming Sharks team aiming to rebound from a last-place finish just one season ago.

Source:
Sportsnet
Sharks claim defenceman Nick Leddy off waivers from Blues