Former Blackhawk Brandon Saad Rejected Four NHL Teams Before Signing with Vegas

Former St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad did not have a problem finding a team after being released by the Blues, quickly deciding to join the Vegas Golden Knights for one season.

As reported by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on his latest 32-thoughts podcast, four other teams including the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning also tried to sign him.

Following the failure of the Blues to place Saad on the waiver list and send him down to the AHL, he became a free agent upon mutual contract termination and was pursued by several teams in need of a goal-scoring winger with veteran experience.

At his prime, he was a 20-goal scorer and a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, once being traded for Artemi Panarin, all this while being offered a bargain deal, which made him an attractive fit for playoff-contending teams.

According to Friedman in his latest 32 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

Saad received offers from multiple teams, but he finally agreed to a $1.5 million contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season with Vegas.

The Golden Knights have had a rather up and down year this season, but they are still a team that is capable of making a serious run in the playoffs.

In his first three games with Vegas, Saad has already scored a goal.

He may have arrived in Vegas late in the season, but his two-way play could help the Golden Knights go farther into the playoffs.