On a hectic first day of free agency, one of the biggest names on the market – Brandon Saad – took some extra time to evaluate his options before making a decision.
On Thursday, Saad agreed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues.
“It’s a big decision,” the 28-year-old forward said. “Having a family and a couple of young kids, you have to talk to your family, weigh out the pros and cons, the living situations, team situations. There’s more that goes into it than you’d think. It was something I really wanted to think about and digest before really making a decision.”
“(And) anytime you have an opportunity to play for a good team, I think that excites you as a hockey player,” Saad added. “That’s something I definitely thought about.”
Saad has been in the League for 10 years – seven of which were played with the division rival Chicago Blackhawks. He spent two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and most recently completed one season with the Colorado Avalanche, where he posted seven goals in 10 playoff games this season.
Overall, Saad has posted 184 goals and 187 assists (371 points) and a plus-52 rating in 632 career NHL regular-season games. He won two Stanley Cups as a member of the Blackhawks (2013, 2015) and appeared in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game.
Saad said one of the biggest reasons he decided to join the Blues was for the opportunity to win again.
“I’ve won in my career, I’ve been fortunate,” he said. “And once you get a taste of it, there’s no better feeling. When it comes down to it, I want to go somewhere where I have another chance of winning. I want to have a successful team and the Blues fit that mold.
“From playing against them, they play a heavy game, they like to hold onto pucks, cycle pucks, protect it, and that’s all part of my identity as well,” Saad added. “I think I can fit right into that aspect, as well as playing a 200-foot game… I think all the ingredients are there. I think it’s a team that definitely excites me, so I’m happy to be a part of it.”
