Following Toronto's lead, the Winnipeg Jets have made the decision to trade their captain, as Andrew Ladd heads to the Chicago Blackhawks. The writing had been on the wall for Ladd after being demoted to the third line and seeming to clash with coach Paul Maurice, especially as the Jets fell further and further away from - and ultimately out of - playoff contention. The Blackhawks have acquired a solid two-way winger, a veteran goal scorer with leadership experience that will aid the team as they make yet another Cup run.
Heading back to Winnipeg are Marko Dano, Chicago's first round pick, and a conditional draft pick that could be as high as a third rounder in 2018. Dano was acquired by Chicago with Artem Anisimov in the trade of Brandon Saad this summer. The first rounder figures to be a late first round pick, as Chicago will likely have another deep playoff run.
The Jets snuck in to the playoffs last year, energizing their rabid and dedicated local fanbase, but the team never really showed the ability necessary to make it back to the playoffs this year. Part of that is a flawed roster, for sure, but the Jets also play in the brutal Central Division, the best collection of hockey clubs in the league. After coming out of the gate strong, the Jets faltered before Connor Hellebuyck briefly kept the team afloat at the end of 2015. Winnipeg has been at or near the bottom of the division for some time now.
Chicago, meanwhile, picks up another goal scorer that should help take the pressure off of the second line and Patrick Kane, who have been the main source of offense this year. Jonathan Toews hasn't put up gaudy offensive totals as he spends a bit more time chasing opposing top lines. With Marian Hossa on injured reserve, Ladd's offensive prowess should come as a sight for sore eyes. Once Hossa returns, however, Chicago will have a lethal top six that mixes both shutdown two-way ability and lethal goal scoring.
Fantasy Fallout
Andrew Ladd will obviously receive a boost, as he goes from wasting away on Winnipeg's third line to seeing time next to Jonathan Toews; it's highly unlikely Chicago plans to use Ladd in a bottom six role, and the second line has been magical all year and won't be split up. Ladd has scored 20+ goals in four of the last five seasons, and has posted 17 so far this season, so he should easily hit 20 yet again. Playing next to a talented center such as Toews, Ladd could very well push for 30 (though mid to high twenties seems much more likely).
Marko Dano never really got a fair shake in Chicago, often seeing limited minutes in a bottom six role. Winnipeg, with nothing to play for, will likely give Dano a chance to compete for a top six role, so his fantasy stock gets a boost. Dano is a very talented youngster, and playing next to Mathieu Perreault and Drew Stafford will be a great opportunity for him to post some points. Just 21 years old, Dano put up eight goals and 21 points in 35 games last year for Columbus, so there is clearly potential for Dano to be a contributor with the Jets in the future.
Way Too Early Trade Judgement
The Blackhawks, for now, as Ladd is a proven goal scorer and solid two-way forward that will immediately help the team as they look to win another Stanley Cup. He's an unrestricted free agent, however, and Chicago doesn't have a ton of room within the salary cap, so he could very well be nothing more than a rental. Dano could be a second line staple for a long while, and will be under team control for a few more years at a reasonable cap hit (he will be arbitration eligible in 2018 and figures to get a bridge deal or something similar).
In the end, Dano never really fit in with Chicago (much like we continue to see with Teuvo Teravainen) and the first round pick given up will be a late first rounder unlikely to make an impact for years - if at all. If Ladd can be the boost the team needs to win their fourth Stanley Cup in seven years (and back-to-back), then the trade will be worth every penny.