Jets’ Marko Dano: Dealt to Winnipeg in blockbuster deal

He was traded to the Jets franchise (then the Atlanta Thrashers) during the ensuing offseason as Chicago cleared cap space.

Harrison and Fraser were both playing with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Additionally, Winnipeg will retain 36 percent of Ladd’s contract.

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired forward Marko Dano, a first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional 2018 draft pick from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Andrew Ladd, forward Matt Fraser and defenseman Jay Harrison.

Besides, trading a first round pick last season to acquire forward Antoine Vermette didn’t seem like the wrong move once the winger helped the Hawks win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons.

Ladd returns to the Blackhawks organization, where he was a member of Chicago’s 2010 Stanley Cup championship team. He also closes the biggest hole on the team and gives them a serious chance to contend and repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Chicago acquired Dano, 21, and center Artem Anisimov in an offseason trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Harrison has three goals and two assists in 18 games with Manitoba this season.

“He brings so much to the table”, general manager Stan Bowman said. He’s also got 16 points in 57 playoff games. His presence was never fully replaced, despite forward Andrew Shaw’s solid play in that role since being promoted there after Christmas break. This season, Ladd has 34 points (17 goals) in 59 games. He’s played 48 National Hockey League games between the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks, but was most recently with Chicago’s AHL affiliate in Rockford, Ill.

“Hopefully I go there and it turns out really well and I play well and it makes them think about re-sigining me but we’ll cross that bridge when we have to”.