With the NHL's trade deadline only nine days away, the Winnipeg Jets must decide what to do with captain Andrew Ladd.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, Ladd appears destined to hit the trade market as a rental player with the Jets already committed to Dustin Byfuglien long term and sitting well outside the playoff picture.
Winnipeg is expected to make one last push to sign Ladd to a contract extension, but it doesn't help his case that he's recorded only 15 goals and 17 assists in 57 games, putting him on pace for his worst output since joining the team.
Still, an attractive deadline option he remains. Here are three teams that could be vying for his services.
Chicago Blackhawks
Ladd is no stranger to Chicago, where the Blackhawks are reportedly in hot pursuit of a top-line left winger.
A member of the first of Chicago's three recent Stanley Cup championship teams, Ladd recorded six points in 19 playoff games back in 2010, but was subsequently traded to the then-Atlanta Thrashers in a cost-saving measure.
Ladd has more than come into his own over the past six seasons since his name was engraved on the Cup, averaging 0.71 points per game with the Thrashers/Jets while becoming a leader both on and off the ice.
His familiarity with the Blackhawks and his ability to meet a clear need for the defending champions makes him a perfect fit to boost a Chicago team with a great chance at coming out of the West once again.
Florida Panthers
Ladd also has ties to the Panthers, namely general manager Dale Tallon, who brought the winger to Chicago prior to the deadline in 2008 by way of the Carolina Hurricanes (the club which drafted him fourth overall in 2004).
The upstart Panthers hold a five-point lead in the Atlantic Division, and, barring complete disaster, are indeed headed for the postseason for only the fifth time in franchise history. And in a year when the Eastern Conference seems to be Washington's to lose, the new divisional playoff format means the Panthers could very well advance to the conference finals if all goes their way.
Florida is led by a host of young talent, with veterans Jaromir Jagr, Roberto Luongo, and Brian Campbell - also a member of Chicago's 2010 Cup squad - serving as reason to believe this team can succeed sooner than expected.
The addition of Ladd, even as a rental, could go a long way toward ensuring some measure of postseason success, but Tallon will no doubt be weary of giving up too much in order to pull off such a deal.
New York Rangers
The Rangers have been one of the most successful playoff teams in recent years, with three trips to the conference finals and a Stanley Cup Final appearance to their credit over the past four seasons.
They haven't been able to achieve the highest goal, however, and perhaps only have limited chances at reaching the NHL's peak with their current crop of players.
With Rick Nash recovering from a bone bruise and Chris Kreider not living up to expectations, GM Jeff Gorton finds his club weak at left wing, with a surprise breakout from J.T. Miller - a natural center - helping fill the void for now.
The Rangers likely wouldn't be able to keep Ladd long term based on their cap situation, but he's exactly the type of player they need in their top six if they want to make good on their quest for a Cup.
