Confirmed with Link: Blues and Saad agree to Mutual Contract Termination

[MissouriMook]

Assuming he clears, I have to expect they will buy him out in the offseason. I think it would be better to pay him 2/3 of what he is owed next year if you can't find a trade partner than to pay him in full and avoid the modest cap hit the following season when we're unlikely to be spending to the cap.

I wonder if the whole situation with him this season is in any way related to his decision to miss the first three games of the season due to paternity leave. I personally don't see anything wrong with the decision, and there was no indication that the birth was anything but routine, but I wonder if there was any sort of a rift in the locker room from this.

 

[Xerloris]

This is like money ball where the coach wouldn't play the guy Brad Pitt wanted so he traded the guy the coach wanted to play

 

[Brian39]

My gut tells me that this is much more about sending a message to the room than it is about Saad specifically.

This is a 900+ NHL game vet (1000+ including playoffs) who had 26 goals last year that the team just committed to sending to the AHL. I've never heard a peep about him being a locker room problem or an asshole. To me, this is a loud signal to the entire locker room that no one is truly safe. No one on this team has a NMC that prevents waivers and the GM just told the room that they are willing to send a well respected vet to the minors without even calling up a replacement.

I get the message, but I really don't like Army's quotes about it.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Scapegoat Saad if you want but you simply can't win hockey games consistently with Oskar f'n Sundqvist as your 3C. If this team doesn't add a top 6 C in the offseason, they will be in this exact same position in January 2026.

 

[TheDizee]

Krug, Saad, Faulk...some real winners from this era.

really good roster makeup by armstrong.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

These are the seasons that drive you crazy - not just because the team sucks, but then you start to gaslight yourself. I've been thinking these last couple of days - was Kevin Hayes really that bad? Did we really need to drop a 2nd round pick to get rid of him? Do I need a wellness check? He put up 13 goals and almost 30 points last year. He'd easily be our 3C without a doubt on this squad. I was as happy as anyone when he was moved, but now I'm kinda thinking back and going - huh, wonder if we had kept him what our season would have looked like? I mean, our third line couldn't have been WORSE with him could it? Would he have been a better option then Faksa on PP2? I know he's looked pretty meh in Pittsburgh, but they're depth is f***ing terrible compared to ours. Hayes could have at least protected the puck while Bolduc found space. I dunno, seems like we dropped a 2nd round pick and then got worse depth production.

 

[TheDizee]

These are the seasons that drive you crazy - not just because the team sucks, but then you start to gaslight yourself. I've been thinking these last couple of days - was Kevin Hayes really that bad? Did we really need to drop a 2nd round pick to get rid of him? Do I need a wellness check? He put up 13 goals and almost 30 points last year. He'd easily be our 3C without a doubt on this squad. I was as happy as anyone when he was moved, but now I'm kinda thinking back and going - huh, wonder if we had kept him what our season would have looked like? I mean, our third line couldn't have been WORSE with him could it? Would he have been a better option then Faksa on PP2? I know he's looked pretty meh in Pittsburgh, but they're depth is f***ing terrible compared to ours. Hayes could have at least protected the puck while Bolduc found space. I dunno, seems like we dropped a 2nd round pick and then got worse depth production.

Hayes should have never been acquired in the first place. It was a stupid move 2 years ago as it is today.

And it actually cost more than a 2nd to dump him really. He had to add to that 2nd to get it back so we could RFA sign Broberg.

 

[BleedBlue14]

Assuming he clears, I have to expect they will buy him out in the offseason. I think it would be better to pay him 2/3 of what he is owed next year if you can't find a trade partner than to pay him in full and avoid the modest cap hit the following season when we're unlikely to be spending to the cap.

I wonder if the whole situation with him this season is in any way related to his decision to miss the first three games of the season due to paternity leave. I personally don't see anything wrong with the decision, and there was no indication that the birth was anything but routine, but I wonder if there was any sort of a rift in the locker room from this.

Seems like grasping at straws there a bit.

I would imagine that teammates, coaches and front office members are extremely understanding that your first priority needs to be your family. I can't imagine any employer would hold that against an employee.

 

[BleedBlue14]

My gut tells me that this is much more about sending a message to the room than it is about Saad specifically.

This is a 900+ NHL game vet (1000+ including playoffs) who had 26 goals last year that the team just committed to sending to the AHL. I've never heard a peep about him being a locker room problem or an asshole. To me, this is a loud signal to the entire locker room that no one is truly safe. No one on this team has a NMC that prevents waivers and the GM just told the room that they are willing to send a well respected vet to the minors without even calling up a replacement.

I get the message, but I really don't like Army's quotes about it.

This message would've been received much better and earlier if he would've done it with Krug when it made sense.

I guess there is a worry there about circumventing the NTC vs here where it's a wakeup. But it still sends a message that less than adequate production is not going to be taken well here.

 

[ds774622]

Assuming he clears, I have to expect they will buy him out in the offseason. I think it would be better to pay him 2/3 of what he is owed next year if you can't find a trade partner than to pay him in full and avoid the modest cap hit the following season when we're unlikely to be spending to the cap.

I wonder if the whole situation with him this season is in any way related to his decision to miss the first three games of the season due to paternity leave. I personally don't see anything wrong with the decision, and there was no indication that the birth was anything but routine, but I wonder if there was any sort of a rift in the locker room from this.

Not that I think Army goes down the buyout route, but a Faulk buyout over the summer gives more "bang for the buck" imho. You're taking a $13m cap hit remaining and smoothing it out at reasonable levels for two chunks; obviously the 1/3 salary cash savings of $3m is not insignificant.

 

[Brian39]

This message would've been received much better and earlier if he would've done it with Krug when it made sense.

I guess there is a worry there about circumventing the NTC vs here where it's a wakeup. But it still sends a message that less than adequate production is not going to be taken well here.

Krug played at a 40+ point pace every season he was with the Blues. He has the 35th most points of all NHL D men over his 4 years with the Blues despite missing a couple noticeable chunks due to injury. Krug had plenty of holes to his game. I firmly believe that his contract was a major issue for the construction of the blueline.

I was in favor of threatening (and potentially utilizing) waivers to facilitate moving on from Krug, but from a message-sending standpoint waiving Krug never made sense like this Saad waiver does. I'm not sold that Saad has been playing like an AHL player this year, but he's a hell of a lot closer to it than Krug ever was.

 

[BleedBlue14]

Krug played at a 40+ point pace every season he was with the Blues. He has the 35th most points of all NHL D men over his 4 years with the Blues despite missing a couple noticeable chunks due to injury. Krug had plenty of holes to his game. I firmly believe that his contract was a major issue for the construction of the blueline.

I was in favor of threatening (and potentially utilizing) waivers to facilitate moving on from Krug, but from a message-sending standpoint waiving Krug never made sense like this Saad waiver does. I'm not sold that Saad has been playing like an AHL player this year, but he's a hell of a lot closer to it than Krug ever was.

Sure, but I mean it was pretty evident outside of point production that Krug was not performing well while the other team had the puck. And who knows, that could've been an avenue that was explored prior to his injury assuming things didn't change this year as they haven't with Krug in the lineup as well.

I guess regardless, from my viewing, this is a good stance to take if the intention was sending a message.

 

[Majorityof1]

Sure, but I mean it was pretty evident outside of point production that Krug was not performing well while the other team had the puck. And who knows, that could've been an avenue that was explored prior to his injury assuming things didn't change this year as they haven't with Krug in the lineup as well.

I guess regardless, from my viewing, this is a good stance to take if the intention was sending a message.

I wonder what the temperature in the room is right now. This seems like a close knit group. You just kicked one guy out and Army dropped some blunter than usual statements in the presser. Then they got ran really hard in practice.

Not saying they don't deserve a wake-up call but not everyone responds to those how you'd like.

 

[Brian39]

I wonder what the temperature in the room is right now. This seems like a close knit group. You just kicked one guy out and Army dropped some blunter than usual statements in the presser. Then they got ran really hard in practice.

Not saying they don't deserve a wake-up call but not everyone responds to those how you'd like.

I'd wager that a big reason for the message was to see who responds how you'd like and who doesn't.

 

[Blanick]

Well shit. I honestly expected someone to bite on him so this is kind of surprise. Oh well I guess, see ya later Saad.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Maybe this is a reality check for Army. Nobody wants over-30 guys with big contracts and multiple years, because there’s nothing you can do with them if they fall off a cliff. Nobody is going to bail you out. We don’t have any draft capital left, we can’t pay teams to take these contracts off our books.

Plus, if you’re waiving Saad because he was one of the guys who wasn’t showing up on time, is that really a guy you want to send to Springfield and expose to your prospects?

It’s just terrible all around. Guys you wouldn’t have dreamed of trading two years ago are now gone for nothing, precisely when you’re desperate for assets. And you don’t even get the cap relief if someone doesn’t claim him.

So maybe Army is learning his lesson the hard way in his waning days. Maybe he’ll do the right thing, and ship out Buchnevich for SOMETHING before it’s too late.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

I think Saad gets claimed. I could see him landing back in Columbus. They've got Zach Aston-Reese and Matthew Olivier as their third line wingers right now with Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, and Yegor Chinakhov on IR. Once those players return, you've got some solid options to drop down to line 3. Throw in Saad and you actually have a pretty solid top 9. They have more than enough cap space to add Saad's contract too for this season and next.

They've gotta be champing at the bit to have the opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think Saad gets claimed. I could see him landing back in Columbus. They've got Zach Aston-Reese and Matthew Olivier as their third line wingers right now with Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, and Yegor Chinakhov on IR. Once those players return, you've got some solid options to drop down to line 3. Throw in Saad and you actually have a pretty solid top 9. They have more than enough cap space to add Saad's contract too for this season and next.

They've gotta be champing at the bit to have the opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Would be shocked if he is claimed. Someone will likely only take him at this point if we retain or take back their crap.

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

I don’t have too strong of an opinion on Saad one way or another as it pertains to his play. He is an alright player I guess. But I will remember his goal celebrations. He _always_ flung both arms in the air, stick held high. It reminded me of classic goal celebrations in the 90s hockey games I was raised on or something. The nice flow helped too.

 

[LogosBlue]

Based on the wording here it would seem like Army feels like the coaching staff wouldn’t play Texier if given more options

Well, if you wanna tank the team, remove Saad and make them play Tex. At this point in the season.....sounds good.

 

[kimzey59]

Scapegoat Saad if you want but you simply can't win hockey games consistently with Oskar f'n Sundqvist as your 3C. If this team doesn't add a top 6 C in the offseason, they will be in this exact same position in January 2026.

Next years #3 center is already here. His name is Dalibor Dvorsky.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Thought Army’s comments today were interesting. Have to think Faulk is next on chopping block, Kyrou could be available too I’d think, although not for cheap. Don’t think we will deal Thomas or Parayko and he thinks quite highly of buchy too.

 

[Mike Liut]

Next years #3 center is already here. His name is Dalibor Dvorsky.

By the reports I’m reading about him, I’m not so sure he’ll be ready next year.

 

[Xerloris]

Maybe this is a reality check for Army. Nobody wants over-30 guys with big contracts and multiple years, because there’s nothing you can do with them if they fall off a cliff. Nobody is going to bail you out. We don’t have any draft capital left, we can’t pay teams to take these contracts off our books.

Plus, if you’re waiving Saad because he was one of the guys who wasn’t showing up on time, is that really a guy you want to send to Springfield and expose to your prospects?

It’s just terrible all around. Guys you wouldn’t have dreamed of trading two years ago are now gone for nothing, precisely when you’re desperate for assets. And you don’t even get the cap relief if someone doesn’t claim him.

So maybe Army is learning his lesson the hard way in his waning days. Maybe he’ll do the right thing, and ship out Buchnevich for SOMETHING before it’s too late.

I don't think anything you just said is relevant in the slightest

 

[TheDizee]

Thought Army’s comments today were interesting. Have to think Faulk is next on chopping block, Kyrou could be available too I’d think, although not for cheap. Don’t think we will deal Thomas or Parayko and he thinks quite highly of buchy too.

If Kyrou goes, that would make me so happy