Andrew Ladd
Essential info: 6-foot-3 / 200 lbs / LW / Shoots left / from Maple Ridge, B.C.
Career Stats: 769 GP / 210 G / 256 A / 38 plus-minus / 479 PIM
Last Season: 78 GP / 25 G / 21 A / -13 plus-minus / 45 PIM
Current Cap Hit: $2,816,000
Projected Salary Ask: $4-5 million
PROS
The third B.C. boy in this free agent crop, Andrew Ladd is another big body with net presence and grit, plus some decent speed added in for good measure. He’s also a Stanley Cup winner and a former captain, so, you know, he’s a bona-fide leader and veteran of the uber-competitive NHL playoffs. Ladd knows how to win and he has the extra gear to step up when he needs to. And he’s only getting better with age: 20+ goals in each of the past three seasons.
Like fellow big bodies, Lucic and Brouwer, Mr. Ladd won’t let the Sedins get pushed around.
CONS
Again, seems like a pretty good fit. Ladd is only 30 years old, and he, as well as Brouwer, if the Canucks added him, could assume the mantle of veteran leaders and producers when the Sedins retire or if they leave after their contracts are up.
If there’s one thing working against him: left-handed shot.
Next: Loui Eriksson