Free Agent Andrew Ladd Not Ruling Out Return to Winnipeg Jets

Free Agent Andrew Ladd is Reportedly Not Ruling Out a Potential Return to the Winnipeg Jets

Free agent Andrew Ladd is not ruling out a potential return to the Winnipeg Jets, based on reports from Sportsnet on Wednesday.

“I’ve said since I left I would never close the door,” said Andrew Ladd. “We enjoyed our time there. We’ll see if that’s an option. It takes two willing combatants.”

After wearing the “C” for six years (final year in Atlanta, and five since returning to Winnipeg), Ladd was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks back on February 25th.

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Hawks GM Stan Bowman was looking to add an impact rental player down the stretch (which included a few other names), in exchange the Jets received prospect Marko Dano and a 1st round draft pick later this June.

During his time with Chicago, Ladd produced 12 points in 19 regular season games. He also had a goal, and an assist in their first round seven game series loss to St.Louis.

Speculation had suggested all along that free agent Andrew Ladd might return in the offseason.

If the Winnipeg Jets can make the dollars work, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would be wise to bring back their beloved captain.

Then again, it also sounds as though he will explore his options this summer.

via NHL.com,

“[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.”

A British Columbia native, Ladd said signing with the Vancouver Canucks has “crossed his mind.” He said one of his top priorities will be to join a team where he can try to win his third Stanley Cup.

One thing we know with certainty, (which could have easily gone without saying when you consider new contracts kicking in for Brent Seabrook, Artem Anisimov, and RFA Andrew Shaw looking for a new deal) the Chicago Blackhawks will not be re-signing free agent Andrew Ladd.

In fact, Stan Bowman will be busy finding ways to trim salary to make room for other players.

via NHL.com,

“When we spoke after the season, [Chicago] said it would be tough,” free agent Andrew 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.”