Brandon Saad, the seasoned forward, has joined the Vegas Golden Knights after spending less than an hour as a free agent, marking another significant chapter in his NHL career. On January 31, 2025, the Golden Knights announced the signing of Saad to a one-year contract for the remainder of the season, valued at $1.5 million prorated. This swift move came after the St. Louis Blues terminated his previous contract, which had become untenable due to performance issues.
The decision to part ways was initiated when the Blues placed Saad on waivers with the intent of sending him to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. After clearing unconditional waivers, Saad faced the potential of being relegated. Instead, he reached a mutual termination agreement, allowing him to sidestep the AHL and find new opportunities within the NHL. By foregoing the estimated $5.4 million remaining on his contract through this season and next, he could remain at the highest level of professional hockey.
This season, Saad has struggled with consistency, accumulating just 16 points—comprised of seven goals and nine assists—in 43 games. Alarmingly, he has been without a goal for 40 of those contests, raising questions about his future. Despite his lackluster numbers this year, the Golden Knights view Saad as a potential asset. He brings considerable experience, demonstrating capabilities honed over his 13 seasoned years with NHL teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and the Blues.
Brandon Saad's career accomplishments include two Stanley Cup victories, achieved during his tenure with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015. Throughout his extensive career, he has played 906 NHL games, amassing 515 points—260 goals and 255 assists—alongside a respectable plus-minus rating of +37.
The Golden Knights are currently facing challenges with roster depth, necessitating the addition of experienced players. Saad’s history of success, including experience from over 100 playoff games, positions him as not only another body on the roster but possibly as the stabilizing force needed for the fourth line as they navigate the remainder of the season and push for another Stanley Cup run.
After the Blues' decision to release him, Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong elaborated on the strategy behind the move. "Our organization is focused on maximizing salary cap space," he stated, as the team seeks to regroup and reclaim playoff positioning. The situation brings to light the growing trend of NHL teams seeking agile adjustments to navigate performance and financial logistics.
Saad's time with the Blues, commencing prior to the 2021-22 season, was marked by ups and downs. While he was instrumental last season, scoring 26 goals and participating fully through all 82 games, this season's struggles prompted the Blues to reevaluate their roster strategy—leading to their decision to waive him. The intent was also to afford Saad the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere rather than spend time developing at the AHL level.
Now, with the Golden Knights, Saad enters the atmosphere of one of the league's more competitive teams. The Knights, bolstered by recent performances, are currently sitting second in the Pacific Division. They’re 31-15-6, and as they prepare for upcoming games—including a clash against the New York Rangers—there's hope Saad can inject some much-needed experience and offensive potential.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this new addition will perform as the Golden Knights eye another playoff berth. Saad’s work ethic, strategic play, and presence on the ice will be seen as strong assets, especially as he acclimates to his new teammates.
Undoubtedly, as Saad navigates this transition, the importance of his personal performance will be magnified. The judgments of his contributions to the team will rest largely on immediate outcomes, both for Saad and the Knights. Optimistically, if he leverages his experience and skills, there’s substantial potential for resurgence not only for himself but also to catalyze his new team’s ambitions.