Ladd knows he's capable of much more with Islanders
32-year-old forward eager to prove himself to new regime
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A six-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL, the 32-year-old forward had 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 73 games for the Islanders, who failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.
"It's what you live every day, so when that's not going well and you're not having success, you take it home with you and it's with you for a while," Ladd said at the Islanders' practice facility last week. "You try to find ways to make sure it doesn't happen this year. You use that extra time not being in the playoffs, and you try to use that time well and find ways to improve your game and get better.
"I think I always have a chip on my shoulder. I know what I'm capable of and I've also evaluated what I need to get better at. I don't think I've ever been a guy that's been happy with the status quo. I've always wanted to strive and do things to make sure that I'm constantly trying to get better and improve. I've tried to do that this summer and I'm looking forward to having a good year."
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The Islanders' lack of success led to wholesale changes after the season. Lou Lamoriello was named president of hockey operations May 22, and he became general manager after he fired Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight on June 5. Barry Trotz, who coached the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship last season, was hired to replace Weight on June 21.
"It'll be different, for sure," Ladd said. "But I think there's a certain level of excitement with a new coach and a new GM, and the success that they've had in the past. I think everyone's probably eager to show what they can do and on our toes a little bit to make sure we're doing things the right way.
"None of those things are bad things. It should be an exciting training camp and an exciting season, really. I think a lot of people are counting us out. From my standpoint, I don't mind being in that spot. I'm sure there's a lot of guys in our room that are ready to prove a lot of things."
Ladd is particularly excited to play for Trotz, who he has been familiar with since his days with the Chicago Blackhawks (2008-10). Trotz coached the Nashville Predators, one of Chicago's biggest rivals, from 1998-2014.
"I don't know how many times a Stanley Cup-winning coach has gone to a new team, if ever," said Ladd, who won the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and Blackhawks (2010). "To have the opportunity to have someone like that come in … I've played against Barry's teams for a long time. I was in Chicago, he was in Nashville, and I've obviously seen a lot of him the last couple of years in Washington and what he's done there. It's exciting to have someone with that pedigree come in and immediately have everyone's ear."
The Islanders are also entering training camp without center John Tavares for the first time since the 2008-09 season after their former captain signed a seven-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1. Ladd was obviously disappointed to see Tavares leave, but he and his teammates aren't about to dwell on his departure.
"I think the tough part for him is when we was here, he put everything he had into being an Islander and really embraced the role and did a lot of great things," Ladd said. "I don't think you want to lose sight of that fact. The emotions of the game, that's part of being a fan. I think as players, we understand the business side of it a little more, and he decided he didn't want to be part of this going forward. That's his choice and we move on without him."
With Tavares gone, there's a distinct possibility the Islanders will not have a captain for the second time in their history (1996-97). Ladd, who was captain of the Winnipeg Jets from 2010-16 and has been an alternate captain since signing a seven-year contract with the Islanders on July 1, 2016, said the role can sometimes be overblown.
"I think it's more for everybody on the outside a lot of times," Ladd said. "I think you have those people in your room, and we have a lot of great leaders in our room regardless. Obviously, the guy with the 'C' gets a lot more attention, but I feel like we've got a really veteran group with a lot of guys that have been around and been on some good teams and done some really good things in this league. It's how you show up every day and go to work and embrace being a part of the team. That stuff will work itself out when it does. If it doesn't, we have a lot of guys in our room to push this thing forward. We're not worried about it."
