'Best thing' for Ladd pretty good for Blackhawks, too

It was one year ago today that Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon jumped the gun on the trade deadline and acquired Andrew Ladd from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Tuomo Ruutu.

"Best thing that ever happened to me," Ladd said.

The deal turned out to be pretty good for the Hawks as well. Ladd has 10 goals and 34 points on the team's most consistent line with Dave Bolland and Martin Havlat, and his plus-23 is the best among all Hawks forwards.

While Ruutu has 16 goals for the Hurricanes, the 23-year-old Ladd has proved to be a better fit with the speedy Hawks and at his age should be around a long time on one of the NHL's up-and-coming teams.

"I was surprised when it happened, but after it set in I was excited to come to Chicago and with the opportunity that was here," Ladd said. "It's been unbelievable ever since I got here.

"Looking back it was the best thing for me."

Ladd, the fourth player taken in the 2004 draft, had lost his confidence in Carolina and his minutes dwindled significantly. He's averaging almost 16 minutes a game with the Hawks.

"It's tough to have confidence when you're playing six minutes a game," Ladd said. "The more you're out there, the more you're handling the puck, and the more you're involved in the game, the more comfortable you're going to be and the better you're going to play.

"Coming here, I think I've kind of found my game."

The trade for Ladd approaching last year's deadline is exactly the kind of deal Tallon would prefer to complete should he make one before next Wednesday.

Tallon has said he isn't looking for a rent-a-player, although that doesn't mean he won't go that route if someone is there the Hawks think can help.

"We'd like someone who is going to be part of what we're doing here for a while," Tallon said.

Ladd should be even more valuable to the Hawks in the playoffs as one of the few players with postseason experience.

He appeared in 17 playoff games with the Hurricanes in 2006 on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. His best game might have come in Game 7 of the Finals against Edmonton.

"I think I can help when the time comes with the highs and lows of the playoffs and trying to keep an even keel," Ladd said. "Just the way you need to play is something I guess I can bring.

"Obviously, the prospect of being in the playoffs is exciting for a lot of guys that haven't been there. They'll find out soon that it's a whole other level, and I'm sure the fans will be excited too because it's been awhile."

The Hawks are locked solidly into a playoff spot, but with 23 games still to play coach Joel Quenneville doesn't want his team taking anything for granted.

Quenneville won't even look ahead to possible first-round matchups.

"Right now I think it's way too early," Quenneville said. "It's so unpredictable now and a lot of things that could change.

"Having been in the race the last three years, whatever you think is going to happen, doesn't happen. What you wish for is no 3-point games when you're down to this part of the year. Other than that it's too early to start handicapping here."