It appears that the Oilers are still very much interested in signing Brandon Saad, which could happen as early as today, but they have some fierce competition. The Edmonton Oilers are the reported front-runners <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/nhl-scouts-weigh-in-on-the-impact-brandon-saad-could-have-if-he-signs-with-the-edmonton-oilers' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>to sign the latest mid-season free agent</a>, Brandon Saad, but there appears to be another Canadian rival team that is very much in the mix. <h3>The Maple Leafs could enter a bidding war with the Oilers for Saad</h3> Per Sportsnet's <a href='https://x.com/RealKyper' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Nick Kypreos</a>, both the Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the mix for the veteran forward after his contract with the St. Louis Blues was terminated following a waiver placement. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/RealKyper/status/1885338702248915322'> </a></blockquote></div> Daily Faceoff's <a href='https://x.com/frank_seravalli' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Frank Seravalli</a> linked the Maple Leafs to Saad on Thursday, joining the New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, and Tampa Bay Lightning as apparent suitors. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1885132703202238518'> </a></blockquote></div> On 'OilersNow', 880 CHED's Bob Stauffer spoke of Saad's possible interest in Edmonton. When the Blues decided they weren't all that impressed with the seven goals and nine assists he had in 43 games, while <a href='https://www.nhl.com/player/brandon-saad-8476438' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Saad</a> was into the fourth year of a five-year, $22.5 million deal, they decided to waive him and send him to the AHL. He refused to report to the Springfield Thunderbirds, likely thinking he still has game at the NHL level. The teams connected to Saad have one common thread: they are playoff contenders, all having experienced some degree of recent postseason success. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks (2013, 2015), Saad is perhaps looking for another shot. With his free agency status nearly official, we should very soon find out where he'll continue his career.