In a move that caught many by surprise, the St. Louis Blues placed veteran forward Brandon Saad on waivers Tuesday, signaling a major shift in their roster strategy. General manager Doug Armstrong confirmed that if Saad clears waivers, he’ll be heading to the Springfield Thunderbirds in the American Hockey League (AHL). If claimed, he’ll be suiting up for a new NHL team. But given his $4.5 million cap hit for another season, the likelihood of another team taking on that contract seems slim.
A Struggling Season for Saad
It’s been a rough season for the 32-year-old winger. Saad has found the back of the net in only three of his 43 games this season, leaving him with just seven goals and nine assists for a total of 16 points. For a player who once played a crucial role in Chicago’s Stanley Cup victories in 2013 and 2015, those numbers are far from expectations. His lack of production has also meant that trade interest across the league has been nearly nonexistent.
“Obviously, the production’s not there,” Armstrong admitted. “Right now, the cap is tight, and statistically, he’s not having a great year. He’s got another year left. If we could find a match, we would try.”
Blues Struggling in Playoff Race
The Blues, hovering on the edge of the Western Conference playoff race, are currently five points out of the final wild-card spot as they push past the midway point of the season. Armstrong made his first major shake-up back in November when he fired Drew Bannister just 22 games into his tenure as full-time head coach and brought in Jim Montgomery to take over. Since then, the team has gone 14-12-3, a record that keeps them in the hunt but hasn’t quite given them the momentum they need.
With the team needing a spark, Armstrong is shifting his focus to younger players like Alexandre Texier. “That will open up some space for different players that I’d like to see get in the lineup and see where it goes,” he said.
Frustrations Mount Over Inconsistent Play
Even with Montgomery behind the bench, the Blues have struggled to find consistency, especially at home. Armstrong voiced his frustration, particularly over the team’s inability to capitalize on home ice. “I don’t know why our home record is under .500,” he said. “I don’t know why we didn’t embrace the opportunity of a three-game homestand to make hay. But my job is to not react to it but to observe it and then say, ‘OK, well, what do we need to do moving forward?’”
Part of that evaluation process includes tough decisions like waiving Saad. The Blues are in a balancing act, trying to remain competitive while also looking ahead and building for the future. Moves like these show that the front office is willing to make changes if they believe it will help the team in the long run.
A Wave of Roster Moves
Saad’s waiving comes on the heels of another roster shift—the Blues recently traded defenseman Scott Perunovich to the New York Islanders for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick. Armstrong explained that Perunovich simply wasn’t fitting into the team’s future plans.
“I talked to the coach over the last little while, and he didn’t see a future to get him in the lineup here,” Armstrong said. “So, when an opportunity came to give him a chance to play and the Islanders were interested, it seemed like something that made sense for us to help him along and wish him nothing but the best.”
What’s Next for Saad?
For Saad, this could be a crossroads moment in his career. He’s been with the Blues for four seasons now, but his role on the team has diminished significantly. If he clears waivers and heads to Springfield, it’s possible he could find his game again in the AHL and work his way back up. However, at 32 years old, the road back to the NHL won’t be easy.
On the other hand, if another team does take a chance on him, it could be a fresh start—though his current contract makes that scenario unlikely. Either way, his days as a top-six forward in the NHL appear to be in serious jeopardy.
Looking Ahead
For the Blues, this move signals a continued focus on shaping their roster for the future. With younger players getting more opportunities and Armstrong actively looking for ways to improve the team, the next few months will be crucial. Will this gamble pay off? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—change is happening in St. Louis, and no one is untouchable.
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