Islanders' defenseman Nick Leddy the target of social media threats

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The FBI is investigating social media threats made against Nick Leddy, the New York Islanders defenseman and Minnesota native.

FBI spokesman J. Peter Donald confirmed the investigation in an e-mail Wednesday to the Associated Press.

Islanders spokesman Kimber Auerbach says Leddy and his family are safe and the NHL has been alerted to the situation.

Newsday reported that a now-suspended Twitter account posted pictures of Leddy's Minnesota driver's license and a credit card. It also made violent threats against him.

The Twitter account had been posting harassing photos of Leddy, a teammate and others in recent months.

The 24-year-old signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract extension on Feb. 24. He was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 4, 2014.

The former Eden Prairie star has a career-high 10 goals this season in 70 games.

Henrik Lundqvist confirmed on Wednesday that he will back up Cam Talbot for Thursday night's game in Ottawa against the Senators. Lundqvist, who has been sidelined since Feb. 2 with a blood vessel injury in his neck, participated in a full team practice Wednesday.

"I'm very happy with the amount of work he got today and how he looked in goal," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Lundqvist. "He looked real sharp. It's good to have him back."

Vigneault said he will decide Friday whether Lundqvist will start on Saturday when the Rangers play at Boston.

Talbot has had quite a run while Lundqvist has been on the mend. Without Lundqvist the Rangers are 17-4-3. Vigneault made it clear, however, that though Talbot will get some playing time, he's not planning to platoon the two down the stretch.

Vigneault said he decided to activate Lundqvist for Thursday night's game so he can warm up with the team and get back into a routine.

Lanny McDonald was selected as chairman of the board of the Hockey Hall of Fame. McDonald will take over his new role on July 1 after fulfilling his duties on the selection committee. The post was vacant after Pat Quinn died Nov. 23.