Hannah Kirkell
The Vegas Golden Knights have signed winger suddenly-a-free-agent Brandon Saad to a one-year, $1.5 million.
The St. Louis Blues placed Saad, 32, on unconditional waivers Thursday to terminate his contract. Saad could have played in the AHL this season and collected his check, but no. Saad wanted to play, and he proved it by leaving almost $5.4 million on the table.
Saad has played 906 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues. He’s scored 260 goals with 515 career points.
Saad played 43 games this season for the St. Louis Blues. He saw a significant decrease in ice time and has been healthy scratched five times. In a slight departure from expectations, he has seven goals and nine assists.
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This signing could mean bad news for Cole Schwindt and or William Karlsson. They’re both considered week-to-week with lower body injuries.
Saad isn’t the player he once was. He’s probably not going to hit 20 goals this season– he had just seven through 43 games with the Blues– but for $1.5 million, he’s a steal. He’s effective off the rush and has a nose for the net.
Saad won’t be very good in the defensive zone. He doesn’t block many shots— his 11 would be the lowest on the team— and he gives the puck away quite frequently.
His finishing is down this year. MoneyPuck.com has Saad at -1.2 goals above expected, a stark contrast from last year’s 7.1. Saad is shooting at just 9.3%, which is the second lowest of his career after 7.6% in 2017-18.
I reckon Saad will enter the lineup with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. If he doesn’t, however, to quote the Gin Blossoms: “If you don’t expect too much from me, you might not be let down.”
