Ladd demoted as Isles fall to Canadiens

Andrew Ladd was signed for big bucks last summer to finally slam shut the revolving door of linemates underscoring All-Star captain John Tavares’ career with the Islanders.

But that expected powerhouse duo already has been broken up, even if temporarily, with the goal-less Ladd getting demoted to the Isles’ fourth line in a 3-2 loss to Montreal on Wednesday at Barclays Center.

“Without me talking about to the players and their game I’d rather not discuss it with the media,” Jack Capuano said after the game when asked about Ladd. “Just being fair.

“I have conversations with guys about their play. For me to stand here and talk about a player and their play is not the right thing to do.”

Taveras netted his third goal in two games and fourth overall, but Ladd was shifted to a line with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck in the third period, with rookie Anthony Beauvillier taking his spot riding shotgun with No. 91.

Ladd, who inked a seven-year deal worth $38.5 million in July following the free-agent departures of longtime Isles forwards Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, has no goals and just one empty-net assist through the Isles’ 3-4-0 start – despite skating almost exclusively alongside Tavares and Bailey on the team’s top unit. “Casey and Clutter are good players, and we were just trying something to mix it up and find some offense,” Ladd said. “Listen, I’d like to definitely be more productive through the first seven games, but also I know the kind of player I can be, and what I need to do. So I’m not too worried about it.”

Beauvillier, one of the Isles’ two first-round picks in 2015, registered five points through his first five NHL appearances, and entered tied with Tavares, Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson for most on the squad. The rookie had to be helped off the ice after being struck on the outside of the right knee by Greg Pateryn’s slap shot in a 1-1 game late in the second period, before returning to start the third.

Beauviller can play nine NHL games before this season officially counts as the first of his three-year entry level contract.

Ladd did make a deft stick check of Montreal defenseman Alexei Emelin leading to Tavares’ unassisted power-play goal with 4:43 remaining in the middle session. Phillip Danault and Dennis Seidenberg traded goals for a 2-2 game by 14:16 of the third.

Shea Weber snapped the tie with a power-play blast past Thomas Greiss (26 saves) with 2:57 remaining in regulation – with Nick Leddy off for slashing – and ex-Islander Al Montoya stopped 26 shots for the Canadiens, who have an NHL-best 13 points (6-0-1).