Andrew Ladd Willing The Winnipeg Jets Toward The Postseason

Quite a few hockey fans pay absolutely no attention to anything associated with the Winnipeg Jets. The obvious response there is, “Why would you? It’s Winnipeg.”

While that may be the appropriate response for pretty much anything associated with the capital of Manitoba, Andrew Ladd has made it worth it to keep an eye on this team this season. He’s gone from role player with his past clubs, to a quiet star for the Winnipeg Jets.

If this was a full 82-game season, we could easily see some of the best numbers that Andrew Ladd has posted in his career. He’s tallied at least 50 points in each of his two seasons with the Jets organization. He could very well reach that total in a 48-game season. Imagine if he had the extra 34.

In 32 games on the season, Ladd has 31 points, averaging nearly a point per game. He has 14 goals to go along with his 17 assists and a plus-8 rating. His point, goal, and assist totals are all tops on the team, and he’s second in the plus/minus department, just one behind Blake Wheeler.

What’s Ladd doing differently this year that’s leading to a higher scoring rate? You can look to his higher shooting percentage, which is up near 18 percent. That’s the highest rate of his career, by far.

The Jets are in a position where a playoff spot could easily be in reach. Ladd is the no. 1 reason for that possibility. He’s one of the top scoring captains in the league and not only leads in the points department, but leads them with the physical game as well. He’s always had that gritty aspect in his game and he brings that to the table every night.

It’s been fun to watch Andrew Ladd make the transition from very good role player with his previous clubs to key piece with the Winnipeg Jets. If they’re able to reach the postseason for the first time since they moved back to the ‘Peg, you can look at Ladd as the prime reason why.