On the Florida Panthers …
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Panthers next priority now that Aleksander Barkov is signed long-term, would be to add a piece or two before the deadline.
“It depends what it’s going to cost us, we’re going to look at everything, like we always do,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said by phone Monday.
“We’ll make a decision based on what the cost is and if it affects our future or not. Those are the two most important things. We want to make sure we don’t give up too much for a player we might not sign. It has to be the right fit. But we’ll look into it, we’ll see what makes sense.”
Tallon wouldn’t mention names, but LeBrun thinks there is “no question” that Andrew Ladd would be one of the players they would be interested in.
LeBrun thinks Ladd and the Jets will take another shot within the next two weeks at a new contract before a final decision is made. Both sides are good with a term of six years, money is the issue.
On Andrew Ladd …
- Matt Larkin of The Hockey News: Looking at five teams that are the best fits for Andrew Ladd. (in alphabetical order)
- Anaheim Ducks – They need a front-line left winger. Also an ideal landing spot for Jonathan Drouin. Ladd would be more of a short-term fix, and Drouin being a more long-term fix. The Jets could look at the Ducks blueline. Sami Vatanen would be too much for a rental. Simon Despres doesn’t have any trade protection. The Ducks 2016 first round pick may be the center piece of a deal.
- Boston Bruins – already have left wingers in Brad Marchand, Loui Eriksson and Matt Beleskey, but Eriksson can play on the right wing. Would GM Don Sweeney trade one of their 2015 first round picks? May be better off trading one of their 2016 draft picks (also have San Jose’s).
- Florida Panthers – Nick Bjugstad is centering the third line, but adding Ladd would turn make that the second line. Ladd would add some size they lost when they traded Jimmy Hayes. Lawson Crouse is too much, but may be something like Rocco Grimaldi and an early round pick.
- Montreal Canadiens – A no-brainer landing spot for Ladd. The Canadiens desperately need size, strength and offense in their top-six. Would cost a prospect and early round pick. They could offer up Jacob De La Rose or Sven Andrighetto and a pick for Ladd.
- Nashville Predators – The Preds could still use some more offense, and GM David Poile can be an aggressive deadline trader. Kevin Fiala may not be 1st/2nd line ready just yet, where Ladd would fit in nicely. The Preds could offer up their 2016 first round pick and a lesser prospect like Viktor Arvidsson or Austin Watson.