New York Islanders Andrew Ladd 2017-2018 Season Grade

In his second year with the New York Islanders Andrew Ladd struggled to be productive as he bounced from the second and third line.

We’re now two years removed from Garth Snow signing Andrew Ladd to a seven-year deal. Year one with the New York Islanders wasn’t great, and year two was even worse, thus sending fans into even more of a panic.

It was actually a somewhat productive start for Andrew Ladd. He was part of the exciting second line, joined by Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle.

Through the first 25 games of the season, Ladd had 13 points to his name. At a .52 points per game pace that put him on pace for a 43 point season. Granted, for $5.5 million 43 points isn’t amazing but it would’ve certainly been taken from the 32-year-old.

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On January 5, Ladd suffered an upper-body injury. His season ultimately went down the tubes at that point. His next game back would be on January 31.

From December 23 to March 15 Andrew Ladd was held goalless. For nearly three months, Ladd was unable to find the back of the net, which again is a huge problem for someone making $5.5 million on the books for another five years.

25 games without a goal is more than a quarter of the season. That’s completely unacceptable from the veteran.

In 73 games this year, Ladd had 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists). That’s a lot of yuck. Although Ladd showed some signs of competency on the second line, the emergence of Anthony Beauvillier as a left winger on that unit left Ladd to his own devices on the third line.

Some of his struggles can certainly be pointed to his linemates of Brock Nelson and Tanner Fritz. With all due respect to Fritz, he isn’t an NHL player let alone a third liner and Brock is too similar to Ladd.

At this point in Ladd’s career, he needs to be paired with a playmaker in order to be of value, that’s why he was at his best this year with Barzal.

Regardless, the contract and cap hit in general is a major problem for the Islanders, he has to show signs of bouncing back next year, which is nothing to hold your breath on. This one isn’t looking good.

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For the 2017-2018 season, it has to be an F grade. There is no justification of a passing grade for Andrew Ladd.