New York Islanders Andrew Ladd Ends 25 Game Goalless Streak

For the first time in 25 games, Andrew Ladd scored a goal for the New York Islanders. Ladd ended his 75 periods in a row without a goal streak last night.

75 periods of hockey, also known as 25 games, is a long time to go without scoring a goal. That’s especially the case when the team you play for, the New York Islanders, who are paying you $5.5 million to score said goals.

That was the story for Andrew Ladd. He went nearly three calendar months before finding the back of the net.

He ended that streak last night thanks in part to Mathew Barzal:

Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day, and damn near St Patrick’s Day passed without a single goal from Andrew Ladd. Talk about a cold streak.

Part of the reason for his struggles was the demotion off Mathew Barzal’s line, I mean Brock Nelson has been a black hole for unlucky forwards who are forced to skate with him all season long.

But the majority of the blame has to go to Ladd. He has been nowhere close to the player the Islanders were hoping for. In his first year with the team last year he put up just 31 points (23 goals, 8 assists).

Sure it was great that he scored 20 goals for the sixth time in his career but 31 points was the lowest he’s had since the 2009-2010 season when he was 24 years old. He’s following that up with a 23 point (10 goals, 13 assists) season through 61 games.

That puts him on pace for a 28 point season. When the Islanders signed him I think they were expecting roughly double the point production he’s given them each of the last two years.

Another big issue is his contract. Ladd is signed for five more years at $5.5 million. That contract is an almost unmovable deal. So the Isles, are stuck eating $5.5 million a year through 2022-2023 for underachieving. Fantastic.

The best thing the Islanders can do is put him with Maty Barzal. At the very least he’s been okay on that line. On the third line or lower, he’s darn near useless. With Barzal and Eberle, Ladd should luck into some points making his cap number sting just a little bit less.

Next: Goalies Struggle In Isles Loss

Thankfully he finally was able to end his goalless streak at 75 periods, but it’s too little too late for Mr. Ladd in 2017-2018. If you’re the Islanders you’re praying for a healthy, bounce-back year in 2018-2019.