New York Islanders Andrew Ladd Expectations For 2018-2019

It’s been a rough couple of years for Andrew Ladd as a member of the New York Islanders. How will he do in year three with the team?

When the New York Islanders signed Andrew Ladd to a seven-year contract at the age of 30 years old, many questioned the term. The initial thought was the last three years of that deal are going to be rough.

So far, it’s been the first two years that have been ugly. In year one, he finished with 31 points (23 goals, 8 assists). Even though the goal total was still there he couldn’t produce any other kind of offense.

He was brought in to play with John Tavares, and that lasted about four games. He was quickly demoted off that line and he never returned. After a decent start to the year on the second line with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle, Ladd’s season came to a screeching halt.

He went on to finish the season with 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in his worst season since 2007-2008. Ladd may never be the player he once was but at $5.5 million against the cap is he salvageable?

This year, he’ll likely play on the third line, with Valtteri Filppula as his center and either Josh Ho-Sang or Leo Komarov on the other side. If it’s Ho-Sang there’s a chance Ladd’s production can increase just by playing with a playmaker like Josh.

Let’s go with the assumption that the third line is Ladd – Filppula – Ho-Sang. Ho-Sang, if he is finally gifted the opportunity to play 82 games, is someone who should finish between 45-50 points.

Just based off that, it’s almost a lock that Ladd can sleepwalk to 30+ points this year. Heck, one of his positives from last year was his possession skills. He had a 51.7 CF percentage on a God awful possession team.

The Prediction

I know most people are crushing the Valterri Filppula signing, I hate the NMC on the contract, but the money ($2.75 million) is pretty fair for a third line center. I think Filppula and Ho-Sang combine for at least 75 points, so Ladd’s number has to go up as well.

75 games, 20 goals, 16 assists, 36 points 

Ladd’s been banged up a lot. If he’s able to stay healthy I could see him eclipsing the 20 goal mark and even pushing 23 or 24 goals this year. Best case scenario he gets 40 points, but I’m going 36 with a more realistic approach.

There’s no way he puts up 29 points again. Right?