Andrew Ladd Returns To Blackhawks In Big Trade With Winnipeg

Stan Bowman's favorite time of year is now.  He always looks to better the juggernaut, that is the Chicago Blackhawks, and with the trade deadline coming up, one would think he would be ready to deal.  He sent a great message to the rest of the players in the locker room by stating the opportunity to win, is now.

The Blackhawks traded young promising star, Marko Dano, the 2016 1st round conditional pick, and 3rd round conditional pick in 2018, to the Winnipeg Jets for veteran, Andrew Ladd, defenseman, Jay Harrison, and forward, Matt Fraser.

Ladd fills a hole that was never really filled on the left side of the top line for the Blackhawks when Brandon Saad was traded to Columbus.  Andrew Shaw had filled that role for most of the season and had done a fair job.  Ladd strengthens that top line tremendously.  The former Jet captain this year, in 59 games, has 34 points (17G 17A).  For Ladd, it is his 2nd stint with the Blackhawks.  He helped them when the 2010 Stanley Cup against the Philadelphia Flyers.  He was on the ice when Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal.

Bowman spent two weeks trying to make this deal happen.  Ladd will be a rental as he will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and the Hawks will be in no position to retain him.  Harrison and Fraser will report to the Rockford Icehogs, the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks.

Dano, was to be the future replacement for Saad, but he will get more than an ample opportunity with the Jets.  In 13 games early on this year, Dano recorded 1G and 1A.  In Rockford, in 34 games, tallied 23 points (4G 19A).

What helped tremendously in this deal, was that the Jets were willing to retain one-third of Ladd's $4.4million contract, which puts the Blackhawks just under $1million under the salary cap.  

Who knows if Bowman is done making deals, but one thing is for sure.  The Blackhawks are a dangerous team that just got a hell of a lot stronger.  Can Ladd's 2nd stint end thlike Versteeg's 2nd stint?

I can't wait to find out.


LET'S GO HAWKS!!!