The St. Louis Blues officially parted ways with veteran forward Brandon Saad on Thursday, opening the door for NHL teams to pursue him as a free agent. With the 32-year-old winger now available, some clubs are expected to make a push to secure his services, and among the top contenders is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
According to TSN’s Chris Johnston, the Maple Leafs are among several teams that have shown interest in Saad, including the Vegas Golden Knights, New Jersey Devils, and Tampa Bay Lightning. However, Johnston reports that Toronto is poised to make a “real push” to bring the former Stanley Cup champion to the team.
Although the Maple Leafs have primarily been in the market for a center, Saad’s versatility as a winger makes him an intriguing option for Toronto. Johnston suggests the Leafs are exploring the possibility of adding Saad as a potential wing option, addressing their need for additional depth scoring while bolstering their forward group.
Saad’s availability comes after a somewhat unusual situation with the Blues. Earlier this week, St. Louis waived the veteran forward, aiming to assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. However, Saad refused to accept the demotion, which led to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent as of Friday.
The winger still had one year remaining on his five-year, $22.5 million contract, with a $4.5 million cap hit. By walking away from the final year of his deal, Saad leaves behind a substantial amount of money, signaling that he is likely seeking a fresh start with a team that can offer him a more significant role or better opportunity.
The timing of this decision means that the Leafs, as well as other interested teams, will have a fair shot at landing Saad once he officially becomes a free agent. However, the financial aspect could play a role in the final outcome, as Saad’s next contract will depend heavily on the cap space available to any suitors, including Toronto.
At present, the Maple Leafs have just over $2 million in available cap space, but that figure doesn’t account for players on long-term injured reserve, which could free up an additional $6 million in space. Depending on how the Leafs manage their cap situation, they may have the flexibility to make a competitive offer to Saad.
Johnston noted that Saad is unlikely to come cheap. Having walked away from the remaining money on his previous deal, the forward is expected to have multiple options when choosing his next destination. The Maple Leafs will have to carefully consider the financial implications before pursuing him aggressively.
One of the most appealing aspects of Saad’s game is his ability to provide depth scoring. The Leafs have been looking for ways to bolster their bottom-six forward group, and Saad could be the perfect addition to help round out their roster. His experience, combined with his recent performance, could help provide the secondary scoring the team needs.
Saad posted an impressive 26 goals and 42 points in 82 games last season, his highest goal total since the 2015-16 campaign. This year, he has recorded 7 goals and 16 points in 43 games, solidifying his role as a reliable contributor. His ability to score and create offense is something Toronto could use in their pursuit of a deep playoff run.
In addition to his offensive abilities, Saad brings a wealth of experience, having won two Stanley Cups during his career. His leadership and playoff pedigree could be invaluable for a Leafs team that is consistently looking to take the next step toward postseason success.
It’s also worth noting that there is a personal connection between Saad and the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff. He previously played under current Toronto head coach Craig Berube during his time with the St. Louis Blues. This connection could give the Leafs an edge in the recruitment process, as Berube is familiar with Saad’s work ethic and skill set.
As the Maple Leafs weigh their options and manage their cap space, all eyes will be on how they approach the Saad situation. If they can make the financial room and entice the veteran forward with an appealing role, they may be able to add a key piece to their lineup ahead of the stretch run toward the playoffs.
In conclusion, Brandon Saad’s sudden availability has turned heads around the league, with the Maple Leafs emerging as one of the primary suitors. Whether Toronto can free up enough cap space to land him will be a crucial factor, but if they succeed, Saad could help provide the depth and scoring that the Leafs are searching for as they aim to strengthen their roster for a postseason push.