Brandon Saad Snubs Maple Leafs; Instead Accepts Offer From Vegas Golden Knights

Well, the quest for additional scoring depth and the pursuit of Brandon Saad in Toronto is over before before it started.

The Maple Leafs were believed to be one of the more interested teams in the former two-time Stanley Cup champion's service, as Saad's contract termination was finalized this afternoon.

According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Leafs, along with the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals were the teams who had shown the most interest in the veteran winger.

Unfortunately, approximately 3 minutes after Pagnotta's post, trusted NHL Insider Kevin Weekes released an update informing fans that Saad was in the process of finalizing a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the deal will be 1 year and for $1.5M, prorated.

Saad had scored 26 goals for the Blues last season, but has struggled mightily this year, scoring just 7 goals in 43 games, leading to his eventual placement on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a mutual contract termination.

Saad left approximately $5M on the table by agreeing to terminate his contract.

For the Leafs, this means it's back to square one, with the team looking to address needs in the bottom six -- preferably a center who can score goals.