Brandon Saad’s 2024-25 season has been underwhelming, with just 16 points in 43 games, marking one of the worst stretches of his career. His situation worsened when he and the St. Louis Blues mutually agreed to part ways after he cleared unconditional waivers. Although Saad sacrificed $5.425 million remaining on his contract, his status as a free agent quickly sparked interest from several teams.
The Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs were among the first to show interest. Oilers analyst Bob Stauffer mentioned on a broadcast that many players were eager to join the team, including Saad. Meanwhile, NHL insider Darren Dreger confirmed that the Maple Leafs were also seriously considering him. Despite this, Saad ultimately chose a surprising destination: the Vegas Golden Knights, a team that was not initially among the front-runners.
Saad signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with Vegas, a significant drop from his previous contract with the Blues. The Golden Knights weren’t originally linked to Saad, but the timing and circumstances likely influenced his decision. Other teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils had also expressed interest, but the veteran forward made his choice.
Vegas’s decision to sign Saad came as a bit of a surprise, especially considering that Saad’s numbers this season have been far from impressive. Nonetheless, the Golden Knights are looking for depth in their lineup, and Saad’s experience could help. With recent struggles from offseason acquisition Alexander Holtz, who has only three goals and 11 points in 47 games, Saad’s presence might provide the team with much-needed veteran leadership and depth.
In a recent game, the Golden Knights relied on AHL call-ups Cal Burke and Raphael Lavoie after a lackluster performance. Coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned his team’s struggles with a “shot mentality” after their 2-1 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets, admitting that his players were over-passing and hesitant to take shots on goal. While Burke and Lavoie couldn’t help turn the tide, Saad’s experience could help address this issue, as he brings 14 seasons of NHL experience to a team looking for more offensive spark.
While Saad’s slump in form is a concern, his leadership and playmaking ability may be exactly what the Golden Knights need to turn things around. Only time will tell whether the team’s gamble on the veteran player will pay off.