Defenseman Nick Leddy’s struggles continue as Blues fall to Wild in home opener

In an opening week punctuated by Tuesday nights 4-1 loss to the Wild, Blues defenseman Nick Leddy has had some regrettable moments.

Across a career that spans more than 1,000 NHL games and four franchises, there are sure to be many that dot Leddys history.

But this one comes at the start of a season, and brings with it the amplified scrutiny that arrives with a small sample size in October.

Leddy has been on the ice for eight goals against (the Blues have allowed 14), including three on Tuesday night.

Only two NHL defensemen have been on the ice for more goals against: Colorados Cale Makar and New Jerseys Brenden Dillon, though the Devils have played six games.

On average, Leddy has been on the ice for two goals against in each game, which is tied with Brayden Schenn (eight total goals against) and behind Robert Thomas (nine).

On Tuesday night, Leddy was victimized by a Minnesota power-play goal in the first period, an even-strength one in the third and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavssons empty-net goal in the final minute.

Ryan Hartman scored on the power play for Minnesota by sneaking behind Leddy and the Blues penalty kill, and receiving a pass from Kirill Kaprizov before beating Jordan Binnington.

I didnt see him, Leddy said of Hartman.

I think originally, I thought it was offsides.

Kaprizov made a good play, and (Hartman) scored.

Marco Rossi scored 46 seconds into the third period on a Leddy turnover caused by Kaprizov, who batted an attempted Leddy breakout pass.

Mats Zuccarellos drop pass also deflected off Leddy and caromed to Rossi on the backdoor.

Ive just got to make a stronger play, Leddy said.

Leddy was on the ice for Gustavssons goal, but there was nothing he could do to prevent the goal, as Pavel Buchnevichs slap shot found Gustavssons glove, and he dropped it and shot it without any involvement from Leddy.

On Leddy, Blues coach Drew Bannister said were talking about four games.

I dont want to make too much about one mistake, Bannister said.

Obviously, Im sure hed be the first to admit that he has to make a play there.

Hes going to be a better player for us.

I believe he will be.

Its a mistake.

Theres a lot of mistakes in that game.

Hes not just the only one that made mistakes.

In the third period, Leddy was demoted to the third pairing to play with Matthew Kessel as Ryan Suter took Leddys place alongside Colton Parayko.

Leddy took four shifts with Kessel in the third period.

Suter also took Leddys spot on the penalty kill with Parayko as the first two defensemen on the ice while shorthanded.

Instead, Leddy was part of the second group and came out with Justin Faulk.

You want to give him some time to work it out, but in the same sense, you cant keep losing games or continue to make the same mistakes, Bannister said.

I believe hell work himself through it pretty quick.

Its a game of mistakes, he wasnt the only one that made a mistake.

I know its magnified because it ends up in the back of your net and its a (3-0) game at that time.

In San Jose, Macklin Celebrinis assist to Tyler Toffoli slipped under Leddys stick.

Fabian Zetterlund snuck behind Leddy to the backdoor for a Sharks power-play goal.

Leddys failed clearance in Vegas turned into Shea Theodores goal in the second period.

Then came Tuesday.

Asked about his and Paraykos struggles as a pair, Leddy said: I think youre watching it too.

Sometimes, the puck goes your way.

Sometimes, it doesnt.

One hits off a skate here, one hits off a skate there, and it goes the other way.

Theres luck involved in the game, too.

Unfortunately, on some of these plays, Ive just got to make stronger plays.

The 5 on 5 analytics offer mixed opinions on Leddy, according to Natural Stat Trick.

His effect on shot attempt share is about in line with his impact since he arrived in St.

Louis in 2022.

Hes had a positive impact on the Blues creating and preventing shots on goal.

Same with high-danger chances (and scoring chances, too, to a much smaller degree).

The Blues, though, are generating fewer expected goals and allowed more expected goals with Leddy on the ice than with him off it.

Add that in with Blues goalies owning a .844 save percentage at 5 on 5 with Leddy on the ice, and the goals against will pile up quickly.

Other models have graded Leddy as the worst Blues defenseman on the ice in losses to Vegas and Minnesota.

Leddy has been a constant on the ice for St.

Louis since he was traded from Detroit in March 2022.

Only Parayko has more time on ice and shifts than Leddy.

This season, Leddy led the Blues in ice time in both of their wins.

Leddy is in the third season of a four-year contract worth $4 million, and he has a full no-trade clause.

Hell be fine, Bannister said.

Weve just got to get him out of here.

The group, we can all help him out.

Theres four other guys on the ice.

For him, he understands what he did.

Hell be the first one to say that that was on him.

Theres a lot of other things in the game that happened.

Its not just that one mistake..

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