Blackhawks acquire Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd for prospect Marko Dano

The Chicago Blackhawks bolstered their lineup for a long playoff run on Tuesday, acquiring Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd in a highly anticipated deal just days before the 2016 NHL trade deadline.

In return, the Jets received top Blackhawks prospect Marko Dano, a 2016 first round pick and a conditional draft pick. Winnipeg also sent defenseman Jay Harrison and winger Matt Fraser to the Blackhawks in the deal.

As one of the better upcoming unrestricted free agents this summer, Ladd has been one of the highest profile names bandied about as the trade deadline approached. When the Jets re-signed fellow UFA Dustin Byfuglien to a 5-year, $38 million contract in early February it became clear that Ladd's days in Winnipeg were numbered.

Maybe the Blackhawks should've waited a bit.

Ladd is a $23,655 daily caphit. It would cost any interested team about $74K more in cap space if he were acquired today as oppose to Monday

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 26, 2016

Ladd actually spent three seasons with the Blackhawks organization from 2007 to 2010, when he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in the summer to free up salary cap space (Chicago's eternal dilemma). That season, Ladd was named captain of the Thrashers. In five seasons with the franchise, Ladd amassed 122 goals and 271 points in 370 games.

Marko Dano, a 21-year-old forward, has four goals and 23 points in 34 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League this year. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.