from Gary Lawless of TSN,

Talks with Ladd’s agents have broken off. In the meantime, Jets’ GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was recently seen huddling with defenceman Dustin Byfuglien’s representative.

Winnipeg has chosen Buff ahead of Ladd. It’s a reversal in direction that must have surprised the captain and his teammates.

This dressing room responds to its leader. When Ladd is right and pushing, the team has pace and a pulse. Now that he’s left hanging, the situation has become intolerable and needs to be solved.

Keeping Ladd is an unlikely proposition unless the player’s demands change dramatically. Ladd is after a six-year contract with an average annual value north of $6 million. That’s not going to happen in Winnipeg.

So it’s time to trade Ladd and make the most of what has disintegrated into a mess.

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