The St. Louis Blues have come to terms with free-agent forward Brandon Saad on a five-year deal, the team announced today. The contract is worth $22.5MM and carries an average annual value of $4.5MM. Bally Sports’ Andy Strickland reports the contract breakdown is as follows:
2021-22: $4.5MM, NTC
2022-23: $4.5MM, NTC
2023-24: $5.5MM, NTC
2024-25: $4.375MM, NTC
2025-26: $3.625MM, M-NTC
Saad joins the Blues, his fourth NHL team, as a veteran of 632 regular-season games, 91 playoff games, and two Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks teams. Saad’s been one of the more consistent secondary scoring options in the entire NHL over the duration of his career, scoring at least 15 goals in every season since 2013-14. He spent last year with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche, potting 15 goals and dishing out nine assists for 24 points in 44 games playing more limited minutes on a deep squad.
The 28-year-old Pittsburgh native will likely see his ice time elevated again with the Blues, who will be moving on from Vladimir Tarasenko eventually this summer. While he’s really not the aptest defensive forward, he provides a play driving upgrade on Mike Hoffman, who departed the team yesterday to sign a deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Still a goal-scoring machine at this point, Saad’s contract looks to provide solid value over the duration of the deal given his track record.
now tarasenko can go to islanders
If the Isles sign both Palmieri and Parise, as they’re rumored to be, there won’t be any money left for Tarasenko.
Overpay
based on what exactly?
Same age as Schwartz. Same term as Schwartz. $1 million/year less.
Maybe it’s a “grass is always greener” situation but I think he’s an upgrade over Schwartz, too.
But he isn’t. Plays a style that will make this deal look bad by year 3.
Schwartz had an incredible playoffs in 2019, but he just doesn’t score with any kind of consistency.
Absolutely right, a huge upgrade over the streaky and sometimes incognito Schwartz.
Good signing by the Blues. And the Preds miss out on another UFA. :/
Lost Bozak, Schwartz, Blais, and Hoffman…have added Buchnevich and Saad…I guess that’s not terrible. Idk I’m a Rangers (and Sharks) fan I’d need a Blues fan to tell me if they’re nervous about playoff contention
They haven’t lost Bozak yet.
They’re losing players from a massively underperforming team last year, so that part doesn’t overly concern me. If they’re healthy (particularly Sundvquist and Parayko), I’m not nervous about playoff contention. I don’t think going into the season you can consider them real cup contenders, though (like Colorado, Vegas, Tampa, etc.).
Before today we lost Schwartz, Blais, Hoffman and only added Buchnevich. The natives were getting restless, then we signed Saad out of nowhere. It’s a long offseason – we do trust in Army to make the moves. I think we are a little handcuffed until we can move Tarasenko. Once that is handled there will be more moves to come.
On paper, we should have had a great season. Honestly, in watching the playoffs, I think the Blues were easily a top 6 team, we just played in the toughest division with Vegas and Colorado. That said, many of our players underperformed and just looked inconsistent. A fresh reboot is going to be a good thing, and I’m excited to see Buch and Saad wearing the Bluenote this fall.
i don’t if this is homerism or sense, but i think the note are a cup contending team, are we favorites no we’re not but if we do make a run and possibly hoist the cup would it be a real shock. tbh what i think really hurt the note this season was losing bowemestier and steen before the season even started if they didn’t wear the c or they were the best players on the team there grit and selfless attitude was missing most from this team this year.
For as consistent a goal-scorer as Saad is, he sure gets dealt around an awful lot. Is there something bad about him that I don’t know? Seems like a good signing for a 25-goal, 50-point guy who also seems like a decent human being (not a Tony DeAngelo type clubhouse cancer.)
“Still a goal scoring machine…”
Saad never has been a goal scoring machine. He is frustrating because his talent never matches his effort. Stl will be the fourth team to be frustrated. If you realize what you’re getting and don’t expect more than a 40 point guy who always looks like he is giving half effort, you’ll be fine.
Given the circumstances and prices, Buchnevich and Saad are excellent replacements for Hoffman and Schwartz.
Agreed. I would even argue that they are upgrades
They made someone kneel before him to make the signing official