After spreading his wings, Ladd thrilled to rejoin Chicago Blackhawks
The salary cap giveth. And the salary cap taketh away.
It's interesting how things have come full circle for the Blackhawks and Andrew Ladd.
After the Hawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, they were forced to part with a young player that would cost them too much money. Now here we are six years - and two Cups - later and general manager Stan Bowman worked some salary-cap wizardry to bring back Ladd to a team that already was a favorite to win it all again.
Talking to reporters Thursday via conference call during the Hawks' 3-1 loss to Nashville, Ladd said he knew soon after that 2010 title he would be leaving Chicago, and he was "sad about it" at the time. With the departure, however, his game evolved and improved drastically after taking on a leadership role in the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise.
"It was a tough moment. You obviously don't want to leave, but it was good for my career in terms of the situations and minutes that I played beyond that," Ladd said. "I'm excited to come back and really show what my game's all about now."
Ladd's not the only one from the 2010 or 2013 title teams to spread his wings after leaving the Hawks. Count Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg and Nick Leddy in that group.
Versteeg, who was on the '10 team, came back last season. Now it's Ladd's turn to reunite with old friends.
"You see guys kind of go on and assume more responsibility, assume a little more spotlight and kind of more of a top role on another team - it's not an easy thing to do," Jonathan Toews said. "He's done a great job for his team in Winnipeg.
"You can see under those circumstances what type of player he is. He brings it every year and every night. We're looking forward to having him back here."
Toews learned of the trade when he saw highlights of Ladd on the scoreboard during the first TV timeout of Thursday's game.
"Saw him up there and figured that's what the announcement must be about," Toews said. "What else could it be?"
Coach Joel Quenneville said Ladd will play left wing on the top line with Toews and Marian Hossa (once Hossa is healthy). Andrew Shaw has been in that spot for two months, but he'll slide down to the third line to give the Hawks the depth they love throughout their four-line rotation.
As for Ladd, he couldn't be more pumped about returning to Chicago to play with the 2016 versions of Toews and Patrick Kane.
"Their experience is way beyond what we had when we won the first time," Ladd said. "You've seen them all evolve as players, kind of taking the next step in terms of playing that 200-foot game. They always have big moments at crucial times and that's what's made them great.
"I think anyone is excited to be a part of that again and it's a treat to watch some of those guys play. You have such a great appreciation for what they do day in and day out when you play with them each and every day and see their skill on the ice and practice.
"I'm excited to see them again."
The feelings are certainly mutual.
"It's a huge addition to our team," Duncan Keith said. "I'm sure there were a few teams trying to get Laddy and I think we're all pretty excited to be the team that got him."
Said Bowman: "He's maintained a friendship with a number of our players and that's important. He's a guy you want to go to war with."
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