Andrew Ladd leaves Blackhawks, signs 7-year deal with Islanders

Andrew Ladd will be back in Chicago next season, but only for one game when he returns with the New York Islanders. The free agent forward signed a 7-year deal with a $5.5 salary cap hit Friday.

Andrew Ladd 7 yr deal to #NYI confirmed....$5.5 cap hit #NHL

— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 1, 2016

Ladd, 30, scored 46 points between the Winnipeg Jets and the Chicago Blackhawks last season. The 2010 Stanley Cup winner was acquired in a trade from Winnipeg near the deadline exchange for Marko Dano and first-round pick. The winger also had a goal and assist in the Hawks' seven-game first-round playoff series against St. Louis.

Ladd will look to fill the offensive void left by Kyle Okposo, who signed a 7-year deal with Buffalo, and Frans Nielsen, who has also left the Islanders in free agency. He'll be on the Islanders top line alongside captain John Tavares.