Former Hawk Leddy pays a visit

Former Hawks defenseman Nick Leddy was at the United Center on Tuesday for the first time since being traded for prospects before the season began.

Leddy, who missed his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury, admitted it wasn't easy leaving the franchise he'd won a Stanley Cup with.

"Guys had really become like a family," he said. "So it did sting, but I had a new experience and it's been awesome so far."

The Islanders love what Leddy brings to their team, defensively and offensively, and signed him to a seven-year deal less than a month ago. He leads the team's D-men with 10 goals, is second with 29 points and is second on the entire team with a plus-17 rating.

Isles center John Tavares, the NHL's leading scorer, raved about Leddy before Tuesday's game at the United Center.

"I think people are going to start to realize what a pretty special player he is," Tavares said. "I knew how great of a skater he was, but I never realized his poise and his ability to really control a game. … His decision-making, his ability to create space and find the open man.

"He's so good at getting pucks through out of the point to the net, and putting them to the right areas for us forwards."

Regardless of what happens in the rest of Leddy's career, he said he will never forget winning it all in 2013.

"The Cup is super special," he said. "Playing with most of those guys and winning it with most of those guys is so special. Those memories will always be right up there with the best."

As for the Hawks, they've been trying to fill the void left by Leddy all season. Coach Joel Quenneville is hopeful that once Trevor van Riemsdyk returns things will start to pick up from the back end.

"Offensively from the back end, maybe (we're) not as consistent … getting production or quality offensive zone time," Quenneville said. "We've had some different looks. TVR looked like he could help fill that void. We still think down the road he's going to be a nice fit."