Oilers reportedly have imminent meeting to discuss contract with free agent forward Brandon Saad
Veteran forward Brandon Saad has just become a free agent, and now reports are surfacing that the team will be meeting with Saad to discuss a contract tomorrow.
The Oilers were quickly connected to Brandan Saad due to his history with general manager Stan Bowman, and it seems like that connection could come through to produce a deal.
Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman meeting with Brandon Saad
According to a new report from the Heavy Hockey Network on Edmonton Sports Talk, management will be meeting with Brandon Saad tomorrow to discuss the terms of a new contract.
- Heavy Hockey Network
It could still be possible another team signs Saad, but the Oilers at least seem to be front runners.
Brandon Saad just agreed to a mutual contract termination with the St. Louis Blues, effectively walking away from his $4.5M in salary next season and for the rest of this season.
It would stand to reason then that money isn't the priority for Saad on his next contract. He would likely be open to signing a league minimum contract with a new team, that puts him in a position to succeed and secure a new contract for next season.
Stan Bowman working personal connection with Brandon Saad on new contract
Stan Bowman has a long history with Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks, including drafting, signing, and trading for the player over his GM career.
Brandon Saad is 32 years old, still has speed and can play a reliable 200 foot game including penalty killing. He scored 26 goals in 82 games last season, but this year hasn't scored enough to warrant his $4.5M cap hit.
The Oilers have been linked to acquiring a tough, physical forward like Brandon Saad in previous insider reports this season. This gives them the chance to pick up that type of player without giving up any trade assets at all.
Hopefully the Oilers can lock in Saad to a league minimum contract, and he's able to upgrade the team's bottom six group.
