Positives outweighing negatives with Hawks’ Leddy

Like with most 20-year-olds playing in their second NHL season, there are certain to be some growing pains with Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy.

But so far the positives have far outweighed the negatives with Leddy, and there have been some of both through the first two weeks of the season.

Take Saturday’s loss to Colorado, for example.

Early in the third period Leddy makes a brilliant dash up the ice, from behind his own net to the Avalanche blue line, setting up a goal by Jamal Mayers that tied the game at 3-3.

Then in the waning minutes of regulation Leddy made a tough read on a play in his own zone and it helped result in Gabriel Landeskog’s tying goal with 1:48 left.

Leddy still was plus-1 for the night with his assist, which left him plus-3 with 4 points for the season in seven games.

“Nick had a strong game,” coach Joel Quenneville said following the 5-4 shootout loss to the Avs. “I thought he did a great job leading the rush there. It was a big goal as a result of Nick carrying the puck, lugging it up. I think he’s really progressing here.”

Quenneville said before the season the plan was to give Leddy more responsibility, and that’s exactly what has happened. It started with Quenneville’s decision to pair Leddy with former Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith.

Leddy is averaging almost 20 minutes of ice time and learning every shift he plays with Keith.

“It’s obviously a great experience to play with such a great player,” Leddy said. “Every game you get out there with him you create a little chemistry and you try figure each other’s game out.”

Keith and Leddy play a similar style. They are both puck movers who like to get it and go. Leddy claims he hasn’t had to adjust his game to what Keith likes to do.

“He’s always played his style of game, and so have I,” Leddy said. “Being together, it kind of complements both of our games. You don’t really switch off (going and sitting back), but you read what each other does. You try to help each other create more offense and get more opportunities.”

Leddy is noticeably more comfortable and confident on the ice in his second season, admitting the 46 games he played last season, plus the seven in the playoffs, have contributed to his success early.

“I definitely am (more confident),” Leddy said. “Playing as many games as I did last year, it definitely helped out for this year because I know kind of what to expect and everything is not new to me.

“The whole confidence factor is just knowing what to expect.”

Leddy smiled when asked if he would have had the confidence last season to make the kind of daring dash up the ice that he did Saturday.

“I don’t know,” Leddy said. “I guess it was just the right time and place of for me to go.”

tsassone@dailyherald.com