New York Islanders: Andrew Ladd Ready To Return

New York Islanders forward Andrew Ladd is skating regularly and is likely to return either tonight or on this road trip at some point.

Through the first three games of the year, New York Islanders forward Andrew Ladd hasn’t been a factor. Injuries have kept Ladd sidelined through most of the preseason and the early parts of the 2018-2019 season.

Ladd’s been practicing regularly and looks like he’ll be ready to return to the lineup, especially since the Islanders sent Tanner Fritz to the AHL.

Ladd will likely slot in on the left wing of the Filppula and Komarov line. Whether that’s the third line or the fourth line is left to be unseen. At practice on Thursday, the Ladd – Filppula – Komarov line was listed as the third line, with the Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck line is back as the fourth line where they belong.

Ladd is coming off one of the worst years of his career and is in year three of a seven-year deal that holds a cap hit of $5.5 million.

In 73 games last year, he had 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists). Obviously for $5.5 million your hoping for more than 29 points of production. He was brought in to play with John Tavares and that was an epic failure.

He was eventually moved to the second line, and then the third line. This year he’ll start on the third line. There’s almost no chance he moves up into the top-six, which is the Islanders strength.

Unfortunately with his cap number and No Trade Clause you’re stuck with Ladd for the remainder of his deal, so you’re going to have to put him in a position where he can be most productive.

With Val Filppula, who has been the Islanders best bottom six player he’ll likely find himself a role. It’s just a matter of if he can stay healthy.

Ladd’s been banged up with injuries for the last two years and it’s obviously hindered his performance. At this point, I think you’ll sign up for 30-35 points and just bite the bullet. Unfortunately, this is one of those deals from Garth Snow that Lou Lamoriello will be stuck with.

There’s a good chance Ladd plays tonight in Nashville if it’s not tonight expect him to be in at some point during this road trip.