This in, news that veteran winger Brandon Saad is a Unrestricted Free Agent. Saad cleared waivers today and rather than go to the minors, he and the St. Louis Blues agreed to terminate his contract. He is in the fourth season of a five-year deal that pay him $4.5 million per year.
Saad won two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks when Stan Bowman was GM there.
Bob Stauffer of the Oilers Radio network said on Oilers Now tonight that Saad and his agent likely have a strategy here for the veteran winger. “Do you think that’s possible that he’s looked and targeted maybe two, three, four organizations where there might be a better fit?… You sit there and you get to pick your spot. Let’s say it’s a million bucks for the rest of the way, pro rated, and drive some numbers. Maybe you get yourself another deal next summer.”
As for which team might sign him, Stauffer hinted the Oilers would be in the mix. “Who does this favour? It favours teams that are tied up against the cap, okay, that are looking for useful veteran players… And my guess is he’s going to target a team that’s cap strapped, that’s got a chance to win. Who is his general manager in Chicago? Who would know him better than Stan?”
Stauffer continued: “I think logic dictates you could connect the dots and say, I bet you the Oilers would probably be a team that makes some sense. Now some of you might say, ‘We don’t need a guy like this,’ but he had 26 last year. And the other thing he does is he can share the puck with good players… We’ll have to wait and see where he ends up.”
St. Louis hockey commentator Andy Strickland says of the Saad situation: “Speaking with Saad camp, there appears to be no animosity or anger towards the Blues organization. It’s a business decision. He’s going to have the ability to sign with another NHL team almost right away. (my opinion) Hopefully he plays well to finish out the year and can make up some of that lost money next season and beyond. At 32 years old, he has some game left and has made a lot of money in his career. Scored 26 goals last season, can still help a team. For whatever reason, things weren’t going his way this year.”
My take
1. Saad’s stats this year aren’t great, but I don’t have a credible opinion on his value just now, not having put in the many hours it takes to go over recent video of his games. But there’s no denying he’s a big name player with an impressive track record.
2. Edmonton has become a home to big name signings mid-season for free. The Oilers made such a move in 2022, signing Evander Kane when San Jose had had enough of him, with Kane becoming a key Oilers performer, especially in the playoffs.
Edmonton did it again in 2024, signing up veteran grinder Corey Perry when Chicago was fed up with him, with Perry playing decent two-way hockey for the Oil when healthy. Most recently John Klingberg signed here as a UFA.
3. My concern with Saad? Is he fast enough and physical enough to help the Oilers?
When we look at all 639 regular NHLers this year, Saad ranks 251st in 5-on-5 scoring with 1.44 points per 60, but just 0.78 in hits per 60.
If you do a combined ranked of both points and hits per 60, he ranks 518th overall, lower than any Oilers forward save for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at 550th. That said, veteran players have been no to crank it up big time for the playoffs, playing smart, aggressive hockey. At a pro-rated $1 million contract, Saad would be a safe and excellent bet for the Oilers.
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