Saad Officially In Blue

The Columbus Blue Jackets put pen to paper with their big off-season acquisition, forward Brandon Saad, who they picked up in a pre-free agent frenzy trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Saad was going to be too expensive to re-sign for the Blackhawks, so their best alternative was to get something for him and the deal that was signed, was exactly what the Blackhawks expected.  On Friday, the Jackets signed Saad to a 6-year, $36 million deal, a very heavy $6 million a year cap hit.

In the 2015 regular season, Saad finished 103rd in pool scoring, 72nd among all forwards, picking up 23 goals and 52 points in all 82 games with the Blackhawks.

It was in the playoffs, where he was a real beast, as he raised his game to another level, helping the Blackhawks win another Cup.  He scored 8 goals, 11 points and 2 game-winners in 23 playoff games.

Where will Saad fit into this Blue Jackets lineup?

Ryan Johansen, Nick Foligno, Brad Dubinsky, Scott Hartnell and Cam Atkinson can be figured in to playing with the new acquistion, all of which are good options.  Until there is a better indication, as to whether or not he ends up on the top line, maybe the second line, will we most notably adjust his projections.

The Jackets were not necessarily a high-scoring team in 2015, so for now, I have Saad at some average regular season numbers, but if the Jackets were to make the playoffs, he may just end up in a killer box.