Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion an Option for the Maple Leafs After Contract Termination

After failing to trade the 32-year-old Brandon Saad, the St. Louis Blues placed the forward on waivers Tuesday.

Saad cleared waivers on Wednesday, and according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, is negotiating a termination of his contract with St. Louis so he can sign elsewhere and continue his season.

A two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, Saad joined the blues as a free agent in 2021, where he played under now Leafs head coach Craig Berube.

Under Berube, Saad was a constant in the Blues' lineup and tallied 24 goals and 49 points in 78 games in his first season. In his second season with Berube at the helm, the former second-round pick added another 19 goals and 37 points in 71 games.

Given the familiarity between the two, and the lack of production from the Leafs' bottom-six, perhaps a reunion between Berube and Saad is in order.

The 6'1, 215-pound Saad understands Berube's style of play and fits into his systems well. In addition to being an excellent skater, Saad has been a very good penalty killer throughout his career, which is something the Leafs need help with as they currently sit 12th in the league on the PK.

A league-minimum deal would not be difficult for the Leafs to fit under the cap and bringing Saad in to bolster the bottom six would allow the Leafs to retain draft picks and prospects to address more pressing needs, like a center or defenseman.

With the Blues this season, Saad has skated in 43 games, tallying a respectable 7 goals and 16 points in the bottom six.

The Pennsylvania native has skated in 906 careet regular season games, producing 515 points, with stops in St. Louis, Chicago, Columbus and Colorado.