Andrew Ladd agrees to contract with Islanders

Forward Andrew Ladd agreed to a seven-year contract with the New York Islanders on Friday. It is worth $38.5 million, an average annual value of $5.5 million, according to TSN.

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets prior to the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline after he spent almost six seasons with the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise. He scored eight goals and finished with 12 points in 19 games with the Blackhawks; his combined numbers were 25 goals and 46 points in 78 games last season. It was his fifth season with 23 or more goals, but Ladd's point total was his lowest in a full season since he had 38 with Chicago in 2009-10. Ladd has 210 goals and 256 assists in 769 career NHL games.

Ladd, 30, is a top-six wing who's capable of playing a 200-foot game and is useful in all situations; he had a career-high 10 power-play goals and scored two shorthanded goals (for Winnipeg) in 2015-16. He was Winnipeg's captain before being traded back to Chicago, where he helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010. Ladd was also a member of the Carolina Hurricanes' Cup-winning team in 2006.
He has said the chance to win the Stanley Cup again likely will influence his decision, as would finding a place where his family will enjoy life.