Chicago Blackhawks: Brandon Saad stepping up would be huge
The Chicago Blackhawks need Brandon Saad to step up once the playoffs begin.
Brandon Saad has been put in an awkward spot by the Chicago Blackhawks. They reacquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Artemi Panarin. Saad is a good player and many consider him a fan favorite but he is nowhere near as good as Panarin and never will be. He has already spent more time back with the Blackhawks than Panarin did at all but it still is a depressing trade. With that said, Saad can still be a key piece for now.
It is difficult to guess what Saad’s status with Chicago will be beyond this season or next but right now he is there and they need him. You know that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are going to do what they do best at a high level. It is up to Saad to lead the way in the march of the depth scoring. Saad is also very valuable to his team in terms of possession.
The proof behind that statement is his 51.1 percent CorsiFor that he had in 2019-20. When he is on the ice, the Blackhawks control the puck more often than their opposition. His career CorsiFor of 54.3 is even more excellent. He is an awesome two-way winger, despite what anyone might think about his game.
Saad can also score. He had 21 goals and 12 assists for 33 points in 58 games this season. He was on pace to push 30 goals if it was a full 82 game schedule so it is clear that he can put the puck in the net. Hopefully, when the play-in series vs the Edmonton Oilers begins, Saad will be able to pick up where he left off. It wasn’t an all-star season by any means but he is surely capable of being a great player and impactful in a playoff series.
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Saad also brings some experience to the table. He has been in the playoffs with two different organizations. He has also been a part of two Stanley Cup Championships with the Blackhawks. He knows the grind it takes to win the thing. He also has experience in strange playoff conditions as the 2013 Cup came after a 48 game season. He is a great player to have on your team in a situation like this and hopefully, he plays up to the way we know he can.