Andrew Ladd might be more than just a rental for the Blackhawks.
The veteran winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but he told reporters Thursday that he hopes Chicago can find a way to re-sign him.
Ladd: "Hopefully it turns out really well and I play well and it makes them think about re-signing me. But we’ll cross that bridge [later]."
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 26, 2016
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Ladd was dealt back to his former team Thursday – days before the trade deadline – in exchange for prospect Marko Dano and a pair of high picks. It’s the second time Ladd has been traded to Chicago at the deadline. He spent part of three seasons with the Blackhawks after coming over from Carolina in 2008.
Whether or not his second stint has the potential to last past this season, he’s not sure.
“I have no clue,” he said, via the Sun-Times’ Mark Lazerus. “There’s a lot of moving parts in that.”
The left winger had 17 points and 17 assists in 59 games as Winnipeg’s captain this season. Coach Joel Quenneville confirmed that Ladd will play on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, according to Lazerus.
Excited to be back @NHLBlackhawks ! See you soon!
— Andrew Ladd (@aladd16) February 26, 2016
16 Andrew Ladd photos from his first stint with the Blackhawks
Stats via Hockey-Reference
