NHL Trade Deadline: Winnipeg Trades Andrew Ladd to Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Trade Deadline: Winnipeg Jets F Andrew Ladd Traded to Chicago Blackhawks

One big rental is off the market ahead of Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline. Re-uniting with his former club, Winnipeg Jets F Andrew Ladd has been dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks. Ladd, 30, is heading back to the organization whom he won a Stanley Cup with back in 2010. It was the following summer that both Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien were dealt as cap casualties.

The rumors mill had Andrew Ladd near the top of likely candidates to move heading into Monday’s NHL trade deadline. Post-game interviews following their home game against Dallas on Tuesday gave the impression it might be the last for Winnipeg’s captain.

Rumors had suggested that Ladd’s agent had not received an offer in quite some time. It seemed the writing was on the wall for Ladd once Winnipeg shifted their focus to locking down D Dustin Byfuglien to a long-term deal.

Largely known to be a budget team, this is a reality that fans and hockey experts knew Winnipeg might be faced with at some point this season.

via NHL Trade Rumors,

TSN‘s Darren Dreger: The Jets are retaining 36 percent of Ladd’s remaining salary.

The 30 year old Ladd was drafted for 4th overall in the 2004 draft by the Hurricanes. He carries a $4.4 million cap hit. The 33 year old Harrison was drafted 82nd overall in the 2001 draft by the Maple Leafs. He carries a $1.5 million cap hit. The 25 year old Fraser was undrafted. He has a $650,000 cap hit. The 21 year old Dano was drafted 27th overall in the 2013 draft by the Blue Jackets. He carries a $925,000 cap hit.

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Winnipeg Jets F Andrew Ladd was originally a selection of the Carolina Hurricanes back in 2004, when they took him 4th overall from WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. He spent nearly four years in the Hurricanes organization, winning a Stanley Cup in 2006, before being traded to Chicago in 2008 in exchange for Tuomo Ruutu. He spent the next three seasons with the Blackhawks, capturing a Stanley Cup in 2010.

Ladd was eventually dealt to Atlanta in exchange for Ivan Vishnevskiy and a 2nd round pick. He’s spent the last six years with Atlantla/Winnipeg – a polarizing figure in the community, and beloved captain. Andrew Ladd has 454 points in 750 regular season NHL games. He’s also got 16 points in 57 playoff games.

Largely expected to assume the top left-wing slot alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, Ladd should have instantaneous chemistry with the pair. He’ll bring a lot of leadership and experience to a group already full of it. With this trade, the Chicago Blackhawks are once again considered dangerous threats to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Even the Washington Capitals will have issues matching lines with this Western Conference powerhouse.

From a Jets perspective, this a great return for a rental player that would have otherwise walked into free agency for nothing. Marko Dano is an extremely talented prospect who never got an opportunity in Chicago, given their immense depth. He was acquired from Columbus in the Brandon Saad deal the previous summer. Dano had 21 points in 35 games with Columbus in 2014-15. So far in 2015-16, he’s got 23 points in 34 games with AHL Rockford. He’s an NHL ready, and will likely see time with the Jets down the stretch. Long-term, the undersized forward has top-six potential, but is more likely to slide into a third line role. His offensive skill-set is top-notch.

Next: Buffalo Trade D Mike Weber to Washington

Add the first round pick – Winnipeg gets a big haul in return. It’s a win-win for both teams.

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