Brandon Saad’s productive 2020-21 campaign has landed him a new home and contract heading into the coming year, as he signs with the St. Louis Blues. He may not have been a focal point for the Colorado Avalanche, but the 28-year-old wing still pumped in a healthy amount of points. The Brandon Saad contract is for five years and $22.5 million or $4.5 million AAV.
BREAKING NEWS: We have reached an agreement with free agent Brandon Saad on a five-year contract. https://t.co/mQZVA0UUh1 #stlblues pic.twitter.com/1DFlCA3rbC
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) July 29, 2021
Brandon Saad Finds A Home in St. Louis
It is hard to argue that Saad wasn’t the perfect addition for the Avalanche last year. He scored 15 goals and 24 points in 44 games while averaging 14:06 per night. That is a healthy .55 points per game despite over two full minutes fewer on the ice. His 59.5 percent Corsi For and 3.2 relative Corsi reflect someone who excelled in Colorado’s system. His new team will hope that translates in his new home.
The Chicago Blackhawks originally drafted Saad in the second round of the 2011 Draft. He has been a great player for much of his career, but Chicago still found a reason to trade him twice, first to the Columbus Blue Jackets and then to Colorado, for very uninspired returns. That might create the perception he isn’t as good as his numbers, but one can’t discount 184 goals and 371 career points in 632 regular-season games. That is top 10 among 2011 draftees despite the pick outside of the first round. It is safe to say that teams need to start valuing the Pittsburgh native more than they have been.
What This Means
Saad has an excellent chance to really solidify himself as a top-six mainstay for his new team. They may not be favourites for the 2021-22 Stanley Cup, but he raises their ceiling that much more. After losing Jaden Schwartz and Mike Hoffman in free agency, the Blues have added Pavel Buchnevich and Brandon Saad, replacing that forward depth.
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