The Winnipeg Jets have pulled the trigger on a major deal, shipping out captain Andrew Ladd to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Marko Dano and a 1st round draft pick plus additional conditional picks.
Ladd for Dano and 1st. Is what I’m hearing
— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) February 26, 2016
Ladd for Dano and first, plus a conditional pick
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 26, 2016
So, full deal: Ladd, Fraser, Harrison for Dano, a first and a third-rounder in 2018 if CHI wins Cup. WIN retains 36 per cent of Ladd salary.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 26, 2016
The conditional pick going to Winnipeg in the Ladd deal is a 3rd rounder in 2018 if Hawks win the Cup.
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) February 26, 2016
Jets Captain Andrew Ladd Traded
Rumors had been swirling about the fate of both Ladd and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, both pending UFAs this summer, all season in Winnipeg. When the latter signed a new five-year, $38 million contract earlier in the month, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Ladd.
The 30-year-old native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia had found another gear offensively for the Jets in recent years, hitting 50 points in four of the last five seasons, with the only exception being 46 points in 48 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. Last year Ladd scored 24 goals, his fourth 20-goal season, and set a new career high with 62 points. So far this year he has 17 goals and 34 points in 59 games.
The veteran winger will surely be an asset for the Blackhawks playoff push, with two Stanley Cups (2006 with Carolina and 2010 with Chicago) under his belt. The Blackhawks will be looking for their fourth Stanley Cup in seven years, and the addition of Ladd should make them favorites in the Western Conference.
Defenceman Jay Harrison has two goals and five points in 35 points with the Jets this season. He is in the final year of a three-year deal and has a $1.5 million cap hit. He has recently been with the Jets AHL affiliate the Manitoba Moose. He will be an unrestricted free agent in July.
Winger Matt Fraser, 25, is also with the Manitoba Moose. He has 5 goals and 14 points for the AHL club. He is on a one-year two-way deal with a $625,000 cap hit in the NHL. When his contract expires he will be a restricted free agent.
This move comes just hours after the Jets announced that Bryan Little would be out for the remainder of the season with a T6 vertebrae fracture. The Jets are now without two-thirds of their top line.
We will have more details on this trade as it develops. Follow @LastWordonPuck and Lastwordonsports.com for all of your NHL trade deadline news and analysis.
Main Photo:
Main Photo Caption: NASHVILLE, TN – JANUARY 05: Andrew Ladd #16 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena on January 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
