NHL Trade Rumors 2016: Looking at Andrew Ladd's Chances of a Chicago Return
The Winnipeg Jets continue to be center of trade talks in the NHL and one name that has been popping out as of late is Andrew Ladd. Rumors have it that Ladd might be planning a return to Chicago, the same team he played for in 2010 and won the Stanley Cup.
But is this rumor even worthy of talk?
Of course, the Jets will get calls from several other teams in the league about Ladd and another player in Dustin Byfuglien. But that doesn't mean they're shopping them. The only truth to come out of these rumors is the fact that Ladd reportedly declined a six-year contract offer from the Jets before the start of this season.
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Before this issue about Ladd possibly making a return to the Blackhawks, there were also rumors that Kris Versteeg was also planning to return. But just like more of the rumors, it just faded away. As for Ladd, the thought of it is interesting by all accounts, but the biggest question is: Will it materialize?
For one, Ladd is in the final year of this contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season's end. With that in mind and considering the fact that the Jets are having one of the worst seasons in his franchise history, then it shouldn't be a farfetched idea to think about sending the 30-year-old Canadian to another team in exchange for a few prospects, future picks, or cash considerations.
The Jets might already be contemplating on whom to let go and their options are Ladd or Byfuglien. It makes perfect sense for Winnipeg to unload one of them considering that both will be demanding a salary that may eventually cause them to hit the salary cap. Obviously, they aren't the only players the team has to worry about since eight others are going to be free agents, either restricted or unrestricted when the season ends.
Sending Ladd to the Blackhawks will also make a lot of sense both for him and the team. First, he can play left wing, a position that Chicago are looking to improve on. Next, the Blackhawks won't be doing any experiments with him because he already is familiar with the system, having played for them and won with them back in 2010. And most importantly, the Jets will want to unload him before the trade deadline so that they get more significant pieces in return instead of losing him for nothing in free agency.
