Vegas Golden Knights fans were clamoring for winger depth, hoping to get someone to replace Alexander Holtz. It certainly wasn't going to be Brendan Brisson since he's on a downward spiral towards being a trade piece. So why not turn to a player who mutually agreed to a contract termination with the St. Louis Blues? Why not go with... Brandon Saad?
The winger signed a one-year deal with the Golden Knights on Friday, solidifying said position for the team. All of this came at a reasonable price, too. He signed a deal worth $1.5 million, taking a minimal chunk of the team's salary cap.
Saad clears...all eyes on Vegas: 1 x $1.5M prorated, I believe
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 31, 2025
The move comes as good news for Golden Knights fans frustrated with watching Holtz do nothing throughout the 2024-25 season. The Swedish forward only has three goals and eight assists this year, making him an obvious disappointment. But let's explore what Saad brings to the table for the Golden Knights.
Why should fans get excited about the former Blues forward coming to Las Vegas? What does it mean for the team's Stanley Cup aspirations moving forward? It's time to not be... sad and be "Saad" about the latest addition. Let's explore why Kelly McCrimmon made this move and how this will help the team in 2024-25.
What does Brandon Saad bring to the table for the Vegas Golden Knights?
For starters, Brandon Saad is a proven goal-scorer. He's had double-digit goals since 2012-13, back when the Detroit Red Wings were still in the Western Conference. You must be consistently proficient in goal-scoring for that long to be a viable asset. Yet, here we are with Saad making fans less... sad.
He's close to achieving another double-digit goals season, standing at seven through 43 games. The former St. Louis Blues star also has nine assists in 2024-25, with two coming on the power play. Plus, he has a Corsi of 50% and a Fenwick of 49%. Should a player like Mark Stone or Victor Olofsson go down, expect Saad to fill in nicely on the unit.
There's also the "proving yourself" aspect that Saad brings to the table. The winger scored 26 goals last season in St. Louis, a respectable number as a 31-year-old. He has something to prove to the NHL world, where he'll show he still has some goals left in the tank. Considering the Golden Knights need help on the lower lines with scoring, that shouldn't be a problem.
It also stops the Edmonton Oilers from getting better
Believe it or not, the Edmonton Oilers were closing in on getting Saad's services as well. The Pacific Division rival wanted to add more scoring depth at the forward position, giving them a fearsome lineup. However, Vegas's deal with the former Blues winger prevents this from happening.
Here's the thing: Saad has an impressive resume with him, too. He's a former All-Star who made the NHL All-Rookie team in 2012-13. The 32-year-old also has two Stanley Cups to his name, leading the Chicago Blackhawks to the top of the NHL world.
Make what you want of this. However, stopping your rival from getting a key piece and messing with them is a big deal. The Oilers have been hot on the tails of the Golden Knights for a month, tying them with 68 points in the Pacific Division. So why not stick it to them like you did with Raphael Lavoie?
The best part of this deal is Kelly McCrimmon doesn't have to sacrifice picks or prospects. It's a simple plug-in for the lineup, keeping the team's depth intact. Golden Knights fans couldn't have asked for a better deal, especially if it's to spite your biggest rivals.