The Winnipeg Jets turned their focus to defenseman Dustin Byfuglien a month or so ago, choosing to re-sign their big, bad blueliner in lieu of working something out with fellow Jet and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, captain Andrew Ladd. And while there's nothing that says the Jets and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff can't lock up Ladd, their limited cap space and the presence of Jacob Trouba means Ladd is likely headed out of Winnipeg either ahead of the NHL trade deadline later this month or once July rolls around. But Ladd would likely appreciate being shipped to a contender and the Jets and Cheveldayoff would probably prefer to get what they can in trade for Ladd now than to let him walk for free come the summer.
As this point, it sounds like the list of potential suitors for Ladd is coming into clearer focus. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the list is topped by the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers.
The Anaheim Ducks though, finally rounding into form, are apparently no longer one of the teams chasing Ladd. Friedman indicated Monday that league sources have suggested he "back away" from the notion of the Ducks acquiring Ladd.
And really, it makes plenty of sense. With the Ducks finally looking like the team everyone thought they would be at the outset of the season there's likely little reason for Anaheim GM Bob Murray to make a run at a player who probably won't come on the cheap.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun also discussed Ladd's situation on Monday and said that he is a "sought-after player. Name the contender, most of them have either already called on Ladd or plan to."
Prices on rental players across the NHL may have dropped, but Ladd is the kind of guy who can take a contender from good to great. Adding him will take paying a premium price. He's got 16 goals and 33 points already this season and should break the 20-goal mark at his current pace.
And while the Ducks could probably find a way to slot Ladd in among their top-six and could always use some extra scoring punch, acquiring him isn't really a necessity at this point and thus likely viewed within the organiation as not worth what it would cost to pull off the deal.
