Andrew Ladd is attempting a comeback in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes. His health has been an issue, so can he really help the Coyotes who are in the midst of rebuild? He thinks so.
Andrew Ladd Has Something To Prove
Andrew Ladd is one stubborn dude. He’s had two knee surgeries and anyone who has played the game knows knee injuries are difficult if not impossible to recover from. The last one was almost too overwhelming. When he got hit on the right side of his once repaired knee the prognosis wasn’t encouraging. Yet, he went through with the surgery to repair an ACL tear, an MCI tear, and a torn meniscus all at once.
“I was super committed to playing again”, Ladd said. I didn’t want my career to end like that.” “Part of it is stubborness. Part of it was feeling better after the work I put into rehab. My body was not in a good place. Eventually, though, you start start feeling better than you have in a long time. Then there was a determination to prove people wrong – because there were some who thought this could be the end for me.”
Eric Duhatschek the Athletic
General Manager Bill Armstrong Believes Ladd Can Contribute
It makes a world of difference if your new team is supportive of your NHL comeback. Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong doesn’t hold back any punches when stating he feels that Ladd can help his team. Of course Armstrong got something in return, which seems to be his forte thus far in his new job he took a year ago.
While Armstrong took over Ladd’s hefty $5.5 million cap hit, he did receive some good draft capital for the future.
- Colorado’s 2021 second-round selection (60th overall), previously acquired by the Islanders as part of the Devon Toews trade;
- A conditional 2022 second-round selection (Arizona will receive the higher the two 2022 second-rounders New York currently possesses);
- New York’s own 2023 third-round selection, conditional upon Ladd playing at least one game in the 2022–23 NHL season.
“I think with our new coach [André Tourigny] coming in the door and preaching about the new culture that he wants to implement, I think Andrew Ladd can be a driver of that for us,” added Armstrong. “He’s won two Stanley Cups and he’s an unreal human being, from what I understand.
“I think he’s really going to help our culture, I think he’s going to help our leadership, and, as far as playing-wise, he’s got to go out there and earn it,” Armstrong added. “He’s really training hard, he believes he’s an NHL player and he can have an impact for us going into our lineup for next year.”
Mike Gould – Fiveforhowling.com
Andrew Ladd Comeback Gives The Coyotes Veteran Leadership
If Ladd can come in and contribute, his veteran leadership will come in handy for a team as young (for the most part) as the Coyotes. He has raised the Cup twice, and that will help him mentor the younger guys on the squad. Even if he doesn’t play that much, the pluses outweigh the minuses for the team.
It seems that Ladd’s health is the best it’s been in years; he intends to show everyone… including himself, that he still belongs in the NHL.
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