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.
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