The Chicago Blackhawks have finally pulled the trigger on the trade front by acquiring the no.1 rental Andrew Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets. In addition to Ladd, the Blackhawks get also veteran defenseman Jay Harrison and forward Matt Fraser. In exchange, the Winnipeg jets receives Marko Dano, a first round draft pick at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional pick in 2018. Harrison and Fraser will report to the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate team. This move will definitely set the bar for the other rentals that are still on the market.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC)
February 26, 2016
Andrew Ladd, 30, was playing his sixth season with the Jets. In 2015-2016, he recorded 17 goals for 34 points in 59 games played. Ladd played three seasons with the Blackhawks before moving to Winnipeg. He won the Stanley Cup with them in 2010.
« He brings so much to the game, declared Chicago Blackhawks general manager, Stan Bowman. He is a versatile player and has that competitive edge. He has played a great role with the Winnipeg Jets in the last six years. »
As for Dano, he was selected in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the NHL Entry Draft in 2013 and has compiled only two points in 13 games played with Chicago. He played 35 games with Columbus in 2014-2015, recording 8 goals and 13 assists for 21 points.
The Blackhawks have celebrated the return of Ladd in Chicago by posting on their Twitter account a picture of the gritty forward. When the picture appeared on the big screen at the Chicago game against the Nashville Predators, fans stood up right away when the trade announcement was official and published.
« What is important for our team is that he is familiar with us. He knows the coaching staff and also the players, said Bowman. I believe, he has kept his ties with some of our players and that is important. »
Ladd will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and is on the last year of a five year contract that was bringing him 4.4M per season.
