Aerodynamic fade.The 2015 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhaws acquired energy forward Andrew Ladd to give their club needed veteran leadership and offensive depth for a deep run into the Stanley Cup playoffs. The deal saw the Winnipeg Jets trade Ladd, fellow forward Matt Fraser and defenseman Jay Harrison to Chicago in exchange for forward prospect Marko Dano, a first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, and a conditional pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff listened to trade offers on Ladd when he was unable to negotiate a new long term contract with the pending unrestricted free agent. Cheveldayoff opted to sign All Star D Dustin Byfuglien, another former Blackhawks player from 2010, to a five-year contract on February 8.
Ladd once played for the Hawks from 2007-10 and earned his second Stanley Cup ring in Chicago.
Ladd, 30, was the focal point for the Blackhawks, who traded him to the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets). Ladd was acquired to play left wing on the Hawks' number one trio, which featured captain Jonathan Toews at center and Marian Hossa at right wing.
Earlier this week, Ladd, a pending UFA, told Elliotte Friedman that he likely will not be returning to the Blackhawks in 2016-17. After a shocking first round knockout at the hands of the St. Louis Blues, Ladd and the Hawks were done after round one. It was certainly not the outcome that Ladd was hoping for in his second go round in the Windy City.
Ladd, who was traded to the Blackhawks by the Jets on February 25, said he is looking forward to his free agency, which begins July 1.
"[Former teammate Tanner Glass told me] it was chaos … free agency hits, you get all these offers and everyone wants an answer right then," Ladd told reporter Elliotte Friedman. "But it's changed with the (week-before negotiating) window. It's exciting to see what options will be available."
The 30-year-old forward said he did not expect the Blackhawks to be one of those options.
"When we spoke after the season, [Chicago] said it would be tough," Ladd said. "The likelihood is they don't have the (NHL salary cap) room to make it work. This weird feeling, the waiting game. It's new to me. I honestly don't know what will happen."
Ladd had eight goals and four assists in 19 regular-season games with the Blackhawks.
However, he potted only one goal and one assist in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Hawks certainly took a big gamble and lost on Ladd. They were hoping that he would help to propel the Hawks to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
Ladd, the captain of the Jets for the past six seasons, scored 139 goals and accumulated 305 points in 429 games with the Jets and Atlanta Thrashers.
Ladd said that the door is still open for a return to The Peg.
"I've said since I left I would never close the door," Ladd said. "We enjoyed our time there. We'll see if that's an option. It takes two willing combatants."
Ladd, a B.C. boy, said that signing with the Vancouver Canucks has "crossed his mind." Ladd said one of his top priorities will be to join a team where he can try to win his third Stanley Cup.
" Can the family go somewhere where my wife and kids enjoy life?" Ladd said. "That's a big element. From my standpoint, I want to win and compete for a Cup."
Ladd may want to go back to Winnipeg, however, the Jets may not have room for the free agent.
Owners of the second overall pick in the NHL Draft, Cheveldayoff is expected to select Finnish sniper 18 year old Patrik Laine later this month in Buffalo.
At training camp, the Jets will be giving youngsters Nikolaj Ehlers and Brendan Lemieix the opportunity to compete for a top six left wing job.
Ladd's five year contract will end on July 1. He was a $4.4M AAV. The team that signs him as UFA will have to pay him north of $5.5M AAV on a four year deal.
Look for the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Tampa Lightning, and Vancouver Canucks to dip their toe in the water on Ladd in the next month.
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Speaking of Laine, what a difference two weeks makes.
The 18 year old machine gunner was named MVP at the IIHF World Championships in Moscow. He was Finland's best player on their silver medal team.
Laine is as famous for his flow as he is for making goalies look like Swiss cheese.
Check out Laine's salad from the World Championships. Slicked back, below the nameplate of his sweater. See below.
Imagine my surprise when I saw Laine walking around Canalside in Buffalo on Wednesday. Laine is one of 114 NHL draft eligible prospects in town for the NHL Scouting Combine. I spied Laine walking from one of his 20+ interviews with NHL teams to his lunch date with his buds.
I had heard through the grapevine that Laine had gotten a haircut, but what I saw shocked me. He chopped off his magic lettuce. The Winnipeg Jets certainly wouldn't care if Laine showed up to the draft stage in Buffalo rocking a Brent Burns beard and Ray Bans. Dude is a monster and his stick does all of his talking for him. So, why shave your head, bruh?
There are 114 NHL Draft eligible prospects calling Buffalo home this week. The best North American and European players from all over the world have converged on HARBORCenter in the heart of Pegulaville.
NHL young stars Jack Eichel, Michael McCarron, Sonny Milano and others told Sportsnet about their recollections of their toughest tasks they had to perform at the NHL Combine.
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