New York Islanders Andrew Ladd Needs to Sit Out

Andrew Ladd isn’t scoring and isn’t stepping up to help out his teammates. What is Andrew Ladd doing exactly? It’s time for him to sit out.

The New York Islanders are in need of a major shakeup. With the playoffs in sight and after a surprisingly successful season, the Islanders are limping to the finish line. Over their last 10 games, the Isles are 5-5-0 with a -13 goal differential.

Something needs to change for the Islanders. He’s not the source of the Islanders issues, but benching Andrew Ladd is a start. The 14 year NHL veteran should be a leader for the Islanders but he’s been non-existent on the ice for the Islanders.

The Islanders need players that can help them both on and off the ice. Andrew Ladd hasn’t been able to do either. That means he needs to sit.

Let Him Sit

Since that little flurry of three points in three games after returning from injury, Andrew Ladd has gone cold. He hasn’t scored a point over his last seven games.

Would it surprise you to know that Ladd has been getting some power-play time of late? Against the Boston Bruins he picked up 0:42 on the man-advantage and got 0:53 against the Montreal Canadiens. Of course, the power play has been feckless with him on it.

Again, it isn’t that the power play is bad because Andrew Ladd is getting time. But he clearly isn’t helping the situation. And that’s the entire point. Andrew Ladd hasn’t been a positive player for the Islanders.

If anything he’s been a negative.

Take into consideration his lack of action as Scott Mayfield got absolutely run over just five feet away from the former Winnipeg Jets captain. It doesn’t mean that Ladd needs to drop the gloves, but Andrew Shaw has to answer for his actions and Andrew Ladd needs to do something, show some form of life. Show some form of leadership.

Andrew Ladd provided none of that. Again, what’s he doing exactly? What does he bring to the table that requires he be in the lineup every night? He’s a veteran? His massively unwarranted contract bestowed upon him by the former GM? That’s not a good reason.

Look, Michael Dal Colle has been sitting out most nights of late. He’s a perfect replacement for Andrew Ladd. The former fifth overall draft pick is looking to show what he’s got in the final year of his entry-level contract.

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There’s no excuse for keeping Andrew Ladd in the lineup. He has to sit out for the moment. It doesn’t mean with his exclusion that the New York Islanders will immediately return to winning ways but its a decision that clearly sends a message and that’s a win for the Islanders who are desperately in search of one at the moment.