The Golden Knights adding Brandon Saad makes too much sense

Deadspin. Elon Musk dancing with maracas. Mark Stone, according to 31 other NHL fanbases. Alexander Holtz playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25. These are some things that make people want to react like this.

Whether these things aren't getting the job done (Holtz), are simply annoying (Deadspin), or both (Musk dancing), they tend to draw the ire of many people.

While these things can be painful for many people, some things aren't. For example, Brandon Saad hitting the open market after being placed on unconditional waivers by the St. Louis Blues. Four teams have already been linked to the winger's services, with the Toronto Maple Leafs ready to make a "real push."

There's plenty of reason why Saad would be a light of good fortune for every Stanley Cup contender. The winger (seven goals, nine assists this season) had 26 goals in 2023-24 with the Blues. Five of those came on the power play. He's also great at creating turnovers with 453 career takeaways.

So why not take a flyer on a proven veteran who has double-digit goals since 2012-13? The Golden Knights do have some question marks at the bottom six winger position. They need a veteran presence to guide the younger players, particularly Keegan Kolesar and Brett Howden. But there are other reasons why snatching Saad isn't a bad idea.

Two players aren't cutting it for the Vegas Golden Knights right now

Two culprits on the Vegas Golden Knights aren't cutting it for the team right now: Alexander Holtz and Brendan Brisson. Both forwards had lofty expectations to provide ample scoring for the lower lines. However, they've been the Las Vegas equivalent of getting the "Dud." The duo has turned into a pair of poindexters on the ice.

For Brisson, his downfall started in the preseason. It was tripping up Macklin Celebrini in the first preseason game. It was also not gelling well with his fellow linemates regarding play. These factors led to him getting demoted to the Henderson Silver Knights. How did that turn out for him? Well...

Having only five goals and 10 assists in 32 games isn't lighting the world on fire. His NHL tenure in 2024-25 is no better, where he has no points in nine games. The former first-round pick is projected to score 10 goals and 19 assists in 62 games with Henderson this season, which isn't moving the needle anytime soon.

As for Holtz? Three goals and eight assists in 47 games isn't doing much, either. Sure, he's on track to match the assist total he had from last season with the New Jersey Devils. However, his role isn't for running up and down the ice to set up scoring opportunities. It's scoring timely goals on the lower lines and not turning the puck over (Holtz has 31 giveaways).

That leaves room for Brandon Saad to add a veteran presence

The last time the Vegas Golden Knights picked up a player formerly of the St. Louis Blues, they won the Stanley Cup. Granted, it was Ivan Barbashev, who was younger and more versatile. However, that doesn't mean Saad is entirely useless. In fact, he can bolster the winger depth for the Golden Knights and turn them into Stanley Cup contenders.

Saad is a former All-Star (2016) and two-time Stanley Cup champion, scoring 260 career goals. He can easily fill Holtz's or Brisson's role on the team, adding a defensive bite to the bottom six. The team can't rely on forwards such as Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl to carry the scoring on a nightly basis, you know?

Considering the Edmonton Oilers are also in hot pursuit of the Pacific Division title, getting Saad on a minimal deal would help the Golden Knights immensely. Kelly McCrimmon isn't afraid of pulling the trigger on a move or two, even if it's to make Maple Leafs or Oilers fans cry a little longer. But hey, Vegas has been doing that to everyone else since their first season. A little more salt flowing to Lake Mead didn't hurt anyone (it DOES need it, after all).