Ladd picking up after slow start

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This article was published 30/12/2016 (3382 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Andrew Ladd’s introduction to life as a member of the New York Islanders didn’t go as smoothly as he would have scripted.

The 31-year-old left-winger, who was the captain of the Winnipeg Jets for more than 5½ seasons, managed only two points in his first 13 games for the Brooklyn-based club and had only four goals and 10 assists in his first 32 games while playing all over the lineup.

Recently, he settled on the club’s third line and has potted three goals and added an assist in his last three outings, a sign he believes he is regaining his offensive form.

“Things are happening — I’m probably a little more relaxed,” said Ladd, an unrestricted free agent who signed a seven-year, US$38.5-million contract with the Islanders in the off-season.

“With that comes confidence and less thinking and more playing the game and enjoying it. Last five games, I felt I’ve got my game to a different level and where it should be.”

Ladd, who practised at the MTS Centre Friday in preparation for today’s 6 p.m. game in Winnipeg, was dealt by the Jets to Chicago in a trade-deadline deal last spring.

The adjustment to another new team has taken time.

“Obviously, a big transition for me, for the family and then the group,” said Ladd. “(The Islanders) had a lot of big pieces that left and had some new guys come in. Sometimes that takes time and obviously, we didn’t get off to a great start as a team, collectively.

“Usually, when that happens you have a lot of individuals struggling. It took us a while to get going.”

St. Malo product Travis Hamonic said Ladd has been a welcome addition.

“His leadership qualities and the things that he brings off the ice has really been a calming influence, if anything,” said the veteran defenceman. “He’s been there, he’s won… he’s just fit right in. He’s played really well for us. He had a stretch where things weren’t going in and they are now. He’s worked as hard as anyone else.”

Returning to an old home has a comfortable feel for Ladd.

“It gets easier and easier to come back,” said Ladd, who returned to Winnipeg as a Blackhawk last season. “I wouldn’t say it’s just another game. It’s always fun to come back and see some familiar faces. Winnipeg was obviously a big part of my life, my family’s life. I made a lot of great friendships in the city that’ll last a lifetime. It’s always special to come back.”

Former teammates, such as Jets centre Adam Lowry, have a lot of respect for their former captain.

“It’s a little different when you play someone who meant so much to this team,” said Lowry. “Coming into the league, he was the first captain I had. He’s a great person, he did a tremendous job in this room. He was great leader. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

NOTES: The Islanders have placed former No. 1 goaltender Jaroslav Halak on waivers. Any other NHL club can put a claim on the 31-year-old Slovak before noon (ET) today. Halak has a 6-8-5 record with a 3.23 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage in 20 appearances. Halak counts as a US$4.5-million annual cap hit and has another year remaining on his current contract.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14