Veteran forward had just seven goals in 43 games this season, has one year remaining on contract, would save Blues entire cap hit; Sylvegard also clears unconditional waivers, contract terminated
Veteran forward had just seven goals in 43 games this season, has one year remaining on contract, would save Blues entire cap hit; Sylvegard also clears unconditional waivers, contract terminated
ST. LOUIS -- Brandon Saad has cleared waivers and but instead of being assigned to Springfield of the American Hockey League, the veteran will seek contract termination for purpose of becoming a free agent.
The veteran forward, who has just seven goals and 16 points in 32 games for the St. Louis Blues this season, was put on waivers on Tuesday, the first in what could be the beginning of a roster purge of some significant names in the not-too-distant future. So he will be placed on waivers again Thursday and once he clears, his contract will be terminated and he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Saad, 32, has been a healthy scratch five times this season and missed three games at the start due to the birth of his child. He has a $4.5 million cap hit that runs through the 2025-26 season.
He had scored in just three of the 43 games played this season, two two-goal games and most recently, a hat trick Jan. 3 against the Ottawa Senators.
Saad had 144 points (76 goals, 68 assists) in 274 games with the Blues.
Also, Marcus Sylvegard cleared waivers and his contract with the Blues will be terminated.
The forward, who signed a one-year, entry-level contract on April 30, 2024, was playing well with the Thunderbirds, 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 35 games but with the Blues' influx of forwards and perhaps not getting a call up to St. Louis at any point, the 25-year-old reportedly will return to Europe and play in the Swedish Hockey League.
