Blackhawks Acquire Andrew Ladd From Jets In Blockbuster Deal
(CBS) The Blackhawks have pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire 2010 Stanley Cup champion Andrew Ladd from the Jets, as reported by 670 The Score's Jay Zawaski. Chicago also received forward Matt Fraser and defenseman Jay Harrison in the deal, two players who have spent this season in the AHL.
In return, the Blackhawks paid a steep price, sending away their first-round pick in 2016 and prospect Marko Dano, who was acquired in the Brandon Saad deal with Columbus last summer. Chicago also could end up conveying a conditional pick in 2018 to Winnipeg.
The 30-year-old Ladd served as the captain on a Winnipeg team that was touted as a Stanley Cup contender in 2016. However, the Jets fell to the bottom of the Central division and became a seller.
Ladd projects to play left wing on the Blackhawks' top line, alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. He has 17 goals and 17 assists in 59 games this season. He played on the Blackhawks from 2008-'10, with his last shift with the team coming on Patrick Kane's game-winning goal during overtime in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final clincher for Chicago.
The Jets play on Thursday night, but Ladd was made a sudden healthy scratch.
The 21-year-old Dano had two points in 13 games for the Blackhawks this season. He has loads of potential but fell out of favor with coach Joel Quenneville. Dano had recorded 23 points in 34 points at AHL Rockford.
Fraser, 25, has 14 points in 44 for Manitoba in the AHL this season. He has 17 points in 87 career NHL games from 2011-'15.
The 33-year-old Harrison has five points in 18 games for Manitoba. He played 35 games for Winnpeg in 2014-'15 but hasn't appeared in an NHL games this season.
The Blackhawks host the Predators on Thursday at the United Center.
