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NHL Rumors: Islanders, Predators among Andrew Ladd suitors

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) with the puck during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd (16) with the puck during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free agent forward Andrew Ladd is drawing interest from at least four teams, including the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nashville Predators.

2009-10 Stanley Cup champion forward Andrew Ladd will officially become a free agent on Friday, July 1 at noon. He is expected to be among the highest paid players this offseason. Ladd brings a lot to the table. He’s a very skilled forward (466 career points in 769 games) who plays a physical game and his intangibles (namely leadership) are off the charts. According to Darren Dreger, Ladd is already drawing interest with no fewer than four teams expressing interest in signing him once free agency starts.

Dreger specifically names the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Nashville Predators, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay is an interesting fit. However, Tampa Bay has very little cap space to work with since they have to give young star forward Nikita Kucherov a significant pay raise. If the Lightning can find a taker for Matt Carle, that would make them a more realistic destination for Ladd.

Nashville would be an excellent fit for Ladd. He’d be joining a very young and talented team that pushed the San Jose Sharks to seven games in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Montreal has the cap space necessary to make a significant push for Ladd and he would make sense for them. New York has the most cap space and probably has the biggest need for him as they need to replace Kyle Okposo.

Don’t expect Ladd to remain a free agent for a long time. He’s the kind of guy who could help just about any team and he will be coveted.

For more NHL Free Agency coverage, check out our NHL hub page.

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