Andrew Ladd

Andrew Ladd knew Islanders were on their way during time with organization

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Earlier this summer, the Islanders were able to move on from Andrew Ladd with both sides needing a fresh start.

Dealt to the Arizona Coyotes, Ladd’s tenure with the organization — which will go down as a forgetful one for many after he came in as a big-ticket acquisition as a part of the now memorable, or now not so much — hyped-up free agent class of 2016, finally came to its conclusion. Ladd never lived up to the albatross of a contract he agreed to as inconsistency and constant injuries plagued his entire time with the Isles.

During that time, the team struggled to keep up their winning ways they had established just prior to the veteran forward’s arrival with back-to-back postseason appearances in 2014-15 and 2015-16. But there was something still there, which Ladd pointed out during his appearance on the Dropping The Gloves Podcast yesterday with John Scott. It was that the club had the right personnel in place to have the success they’ve earned the last three years.

Things didn’t go very well my first couple of years there, but you could tell they had the right guys,” Ladd said.

Around that period, the Islanders had seen the progression of several of their veterans — John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy — along with the influx of youth — Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech. Yet they still lacked identity as a team to win, which Ladd acknowledged.

“Sometimes they just need a different message, path. That’s when Lou (Lamoriello) and Barry (Trotz) came in.”

Once those two came in, everything changed for the Isles. The team began to win again and a culture had been put in place. The newfound prosperity the Islanders were having surprised many in the hockey world, but no one inside the Isles’ room — Ladd included — were shocked with the turnaround.

“Everyone around was surprised about the success we (that group) had, but no I don’t think anyone in that room was surprised because they knew the people and the character of that room,” he noted.

That character and the players in that room has now led the Islanders to three straight postseason appearances. Ladd though, never got to play a true role in it. And because the Isles were also in a bind this summer because of their salary cap situation, he knew the time had come for him to find a new home.

“I knew it was coming,” Ladd said. “Lou (Lamoriello) was great. One thing about Lou is he’s open and honest about what’s going on. I kind of knew the whole way they were trying to get it done.”

Ladd will now get a chance to re-vitalize his career with another struggling organization in Arizona. As a two-time Cup winner, and being part of several winning teams, he could be a very important piece for them moving forward. He was once seen that way with the Islanders.

His time with the Isles was disappointing and didn’t live up to the expectations, but he noticed quickly the organization were on their way to being good.

He ended up being right.

New York Islanders rumors: Serious cap relief incoming

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Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders

The New York Islanders have some serious cap space issues. And they have to resign Mat Barzal relatively soon. Islander fans can finally take the anvil off their foot. Incarcerated Bob has tweeted that someone is either retiring or being put on LTIR. He also stated that he’s trying to get full details on this to see if this will actually happen soon. That disclaimer is for you, Bob, now you don’t have to worry about “false information.” Let’s say hypothetically that someone on the Islanders is retiring or being put on LTIR soon. What impact would this have on their cap space? And who are the candidates for this fate?

Andrew Ladd

Andrew Ladd has had a long 16 year NHL career. After only playing 30 NHL games within the last 2 years due to injury, the skates might finally be hung up. If Ladd retires, he has nothing in his career that he wished he could do better. He was a great captain for the Atlanta Thrashers. Ladd was a two time Stanley Cup Champion. He’ll end up with just short of 1000 pro Hockey games played and over 500 points recorded. There would be no shame if Ladd hangs the skates up. This would also open up $5.5 million in cap space for the Islanders, which would solve almost all of their problems. Ladd is the most likely candidate.

Johnny Boychuk

Johnny Boychuk is still an NHL caliber defenseman, which is why it hurts me to say that he might retire. Boychuk has been hurt 3 times every season for the last 3 years. And when you get up there in age, after a long successful career, calling it quits isn’t unlikely. The Islanders have also stated that they would offer Boychuk a behind the scenes role with the team if he retired. This retirement wouldn’t open a ton of cap space, but it would still be enough to resign Mat Barzal.

New York Islanders: What would an Andrew Ladd trade look like?

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Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders

New York Islanders‘ forward, Andrew Ladd might have the worst value contract in the entire NHL. In 2016, this contract seemed like an excellent move for the Isles. They had just lost longtime forwards like Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin. John Tavares needed a complimentary player, and Ladd seemed like the right guy. Well, only 181 games in 4 years later, Ladd’s long and expensive contract became a significant problem. Andrew Ladd currently has as much trade value as I do, so let’s see what an Andrew Ladd trade could look like.

New Jersey Devils

The Islanders took the 38-year-old, $5 million dollar contract Captain from the Devils earlier this year. Now, the Devils take a large contract back. But, the Islanders have to give up another high pick just for some cap relief.

Yes, say goodbye to next year’s first Islanders fans. Isles fans are still being drug through the mud because of Garth Snow’s terrible money management. So, the full trade is Andrew Ladd, a first-round pick next year, and a third-round pick this year for John Hayden. Who John Hayden, you may ask? I don’t know exactly, he’s just depth really.

Ottawa Senators

Ah, the Islanders very good friend, the Ottawa Senators. After gifting the Isles J.G. Pageau, the Islanders are ready to give a gift back. And by a gift, I mean a 35-year-old who’s played 30 games in 2 years and has a $5.5 million dollar cap hit. Not only must the Islanders relinquish Andrew Ladd, but Josh Ho-Sang is gone too. Lou Lamoriello has to trade away his favorite player Josh Ho-Sang.

The full trade is Andrew Ladd, Josh Ho-Sang, and a fifth-round pick this year for Angus Crookshank and a sixth-round pick next year. Crookshank is a 3rd/4th liner, nothing the Sens are sad about giving away.

New York Islanders: Is Zach Parise Still an Option?

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Zach Parise, New York Islanders

For those who don’t know, the New York Islanders tried to acquire forward Zach Parise from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline. The deal was, or so we believe, Andrew Ladd and Sebastian Aho for Zach Parise. Everything was falling into place; both forwards waived their no-move clause. Why did the deal fall apart again? Notice how I said again. The Islanders tried trading for Parise during the last offseason. The deal has fallen apart twice, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Parise wants to be an Islander, and the Wild are willing to take Ladd. How can the two sides get this deal done?

Retaining Salary

It’s no secret that Zach Parise has a huge contract. $7.5 million for the next five years. It’s definitely an overpay, and the Islanders don’t have cap space to overpay another player. Sending Andrew Ladd back the other way would still only take off $5.5 million of this deal. Lou Lamoriello definitely wants Bill Guerin to retain some of Parise’s salary. Remember, the Islanders have to resign Mat Barzal, Ryan Pulock, and Devon Toews. And the Islanders are low on cap space; the Wild must retain some of Parise’s contract.

More Talent

Zach Parise is miles ahead of Andrew Ladd in terms of talent. Parise recorded 25 goals and 21 assists while being 36 years of age. Andrew Ladd hasn’t seen those kinds of stats since 2014 in Winnipeg. Ladd has only played 30 games in the last two years. There will be another prospect and/or draft pick going back to the Wild. For the sake of argument, let’s say the Islanders send Travis St. Denis and a 4th round pick back the other way. Denis is a solid AHLer who could crack the Wild’s roster for sure. And a 4th round pick is a 4th round pick; it could be literally anything. It’s not the best package, but it’s the only one the Wild will get.

Conclusion

The Islanders would be even more dangerous with Zach Parise on the wing. He’s a solid 3rd line option for a team that needs a 3rd line winger. This is a deal Islander, and Wild fans must look out for in the offseason.

Andrew Ladd looks poised to make most of playoff opportunity with the Islanders

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Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders

Andrew Ladd’s tenure with the New York Islanders has been one to forget so far. Filled with injuries, unfortunate setbacks, and an albatross of a contract, there’s been very little positive to speak of.

But the 34-year-old has another chance to redeem himself, this time in the postseason.

The Islanders are set to open training camp this Monday in preparation for their qualifying round matchup against the Panthers — which is expected to begin early next month — and Ladd will be back with the team after spending his the last few months quarantining back home in British Columbia.

Ladd’s already been on Long Island since last week, and he’s created a bit of a stir with his workout videos hyping up his return and showing he looks poised to have an impact these next few weeks and hopefully months.

@andrewladd16

Hit the ice before the puck #hockey #nhl #nyislanders #shootingpucks

♬ Ride It – Regard

This year was once again another throwaway season for the Maple Ridge, BC native. Ladd dealt with a knee injury lingering on from the previous year heading into training camp which derailed any chance of him making the opening night roster. He was placed on waivers in mid-November having not played a game all season and the organization sent him down to AHL Bridgeport after he wasn’t claimed for more rehab and conditioning. Finally recalled just before Christmas, only to be sent back down to the minors, Ladd didn’t make his return to the Isles until late February.

Ladd only appeared in four games before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season and did score his first goal of the year in the Isles’ final game before the break in a 5-4 shootout loss to Vancouver. Still, even in that short stint, he looked at full strength.

And ff those last few games were any indication of what Ladd might have had up his sleeve, then he’ll be sure not to leave a shot in the postseason for chance.

Even with two Stanley Cups rings and over 40-plus postseason games under his belt, he hasn’t played in the playoffs since 2016. You would think that should be all the motivation Ladd needs right? Think again. Add on the fact he was absent when the Isles swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round last spring — Ladd suffered a torn ACL in March 2019 — and there’s even more incentive for him to be a difference-maker when the qualifying round begins.

The Islanders can also really benefit from a re-invigorated Ladd.

Head coach Barry Trotz will be looking for more production out of his top-six forwards outside of Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, and Jordan Eberle. That’s something Ladd can help provide while also taking the pressure of those three guys. His size and ability add some extra oomph to the wing. The Isles struggled all year with getting consistency from their top wingers. Ladd’s gritty style, in addition would help bring some extra toughness for those postseason games that are a drain on the body. Thus we can’t forget to also mention his veteran leadership which teams — especially ones like the Isles — could always do more with come crunch time.

Getting to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a privilege. For Ladd, this might truly be his last chance before certain decisions will have to be made regarding his possible future with the organization.

Right now though, his mind and body seem ready for whatever the postseason entails.

And that shows he’s poised to finally make the most of the opportunity that’s being given to him.