$4.5 million player, former 30 goal scorer Saad placed on waivers

NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman and Jeremy Rutherford are both reporting that the St. Louis Blues have veteran forward Brandon Saad on waivers today. Should Saad and his $4.5 million salary clear waivers tomorrow, he'll be assigned to the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds.

The 32 year old Saad has this season and next season remaining on a five year deal that pays him $4.5 million annually. That's a tough pill to swallow for a player who has produced just seven goals and 16 points in 41 games so far this season. 

Saad was signed by the Blues back in 2021 and had three relatively productive seasons with the team prior to this season. He put up 24 goals in 2021-22 and 26 goals last season in 2023-24, but his production has fallen off a cliff this season. He's a long way from his NHL peak bback in 2015-16 with the Columbus Blue Jackets when he managed back to back 53 point campaigns, with a 31 goal campaign in 2015-16. He also has two Stanley Cup championships from 2013 and 2015 during his first go-around with the Chicago Blackhawks.

While Saad hasn't been great this season, I could see a team taking a chance on him via waivers. He's a proven veteran with a wealth of experience to impart on a young team. Stay tuned.