Predators Re-Acquire Cody McLeod from Rangers

The Nashville Predators have re-acquired forward Cody McLeod from the New York Rangers in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Known for his grit and grind, McLeod was exposed on waivers in 2017-2018 and claimed by the Rangers. He has played in 31 games for the Rangers this season and has 1 goal. McLeod has been one of the least effective skaters in the NHL this season by almost any metric.

The Rangers' offense has suffered terribly with McLeod this year:

Micah Blake McCurdy/@IneffectiveMath, hockeyviz.com

So has their defense:

Micah Blake McCurdy/@IneffectiveMath, hockeyviz.com

He is worse now than he was when the Preds traded for him the first time:

And whatever model you're using, he is not good. McLeod will replace Zac Rinaldo, whose season has ended due to injury, but is in several respects measurably worse than Rinaldo, especially defensively:

He adds nothing except PIM, which is not the effective deterrent that some people say it is.

Nashville fans, like David Poile, will also remember McLeod from the 2016-2017 Stanley Cup team. He scored this goal against the St. Louis Blues in the second round.

Cody McLeod scored 7 points in his time in Predators gold (5 goals, 2 assists) over 54 games. He is 6’2” and 34 years old. His contract expires at the end of the season.