Jets Sign Andrew Ladd to Five-Year Contract

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed left wing Andrew Ladd to a five-year contract worth $22 million. The deal will average out to $4.4 million per season. The team also announced that he will remain as their captain when they hit the ice for the 2011-12 season. He was named captain of the Atlanta Thrashers last November. In 81 games last season with the Thrashers, he had 29 goals and 30 assists for 59 points. This is an excellent signing for the Jets, as Ladd will bring plenty of offensive skill, scoring upside, and toughness to the forward lines. He posted career numbers last season in Atlanta with increased ice time, so there's a good chance he will probably improve on those numbers next season.