July 1 can’t come fast enough for Andrew Ladd, whose future has hung over him for well over a year. That’s because 12 months ago, Ladd's agent, J.P. Barry, was in contract talks about an extension with the Winnipeg Jets, a deal that seemingly would eventually get done, but never did.
The ensuing drama in hockey-mad Winnipeg overshadowed the season and eventually saw Ladd dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline as a rental player.
Now the unrestricted free agent -- who is coming off of a five-year contract he signed with the Jets when he was 25 years old -- is close to finally cementing his future.