Hawks hoping Ladd's potential becomes reality

When Andrew Ladd met the local media Wednesday morning, the Blackhawks' newly acquired left winger was greeted by a dozen television cameras and twice as many reporters.

"A little different than Raleigh," joked Ladd.

That's exactly what the Hawks are hoping, that a change of scenery will help the 22-year-old Ladd put his career in the direction it was expected to go when the Carolina Hurricanes made him the fourth pick in the 2004 draft.

Ladd's brief career with Carolina has been similar to the player he was traded for, Tuomo Ruutu. Both were top-10 draft picks who showed flashes of brilliance while trying to overcome injuries along with long spells of inconsistency.

Hawks coach Denis Savard thinks it's too early to project exactly where Ladd will fit in down the road, whether it's on the second line or third line.

"When Dale (Tallon) made that deal for (Patrick) Sharp, we didn't know where he fit in either," Savard said. "With Andrew, I don't know enough about him to tell you. I know he was a high pick in the first round. One of his strengths is he grinds it out, gets to the net and has a quick release."

Ladd was on the third line in his Hawks debut Wednesday against Phoenix, skating mostly with Petri Kontiola and Dustin Byfuglien. Ladd played 15 minutes and led the Hawks with 5 shots in goal in their 1-0 victory.

Savard even had Ladd on the ice in the final minutes of the tense game.

"I liked his game," Savard said. "He's reliable and doesn't turn the puck over. He made good decisions with it."

Injured Hawks center Kevyn Adams played with Ladd in Carolina and thinks there is unlimited potential to be tapped.

"I think he's a good fit for our team," Adams said. "He's young, but he's got a lot of experience in terms of what he's already done in his career at a young age.

"This is a team that's suited for him, I really believe that."

Ladd scored 11 goals last year and had 9 this season with the Hurricanes in 43 games, missing 16 early with an ankle injury.

"He's one of those guys who I think still has a big up side," Adams said. "He's still reaching his potential in terms of what he can do offensively. You don't get drafted fourth overall for no reason."

Brent Seabrook battled Ladd as juniors in the Western Hockey League and remembers a tough competitor around the net.

"You can never have enough big guys that play that kind of game," Seabrook said.

Ladd was surprised to get the news he was traded but perked up when he heard it was to Chicago.

"After it sunk in, I was excited to be coming to a young team that has a lot of good things going on," Ladd said. "It might take a couple games to figure things out, but I think I'm a guy that can create a lot of space for the skill guys and go to the net and get some of those dirty goals."