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NHL Scouts Weigh In On The Impact Brandon Saad Could Have If He Signs With The Edmonton Oilers

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Tyler Ball
January 30, 2025  (7:26 PM)
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Former St. Louis Blues forward Brandon Saad skating during a home game in the NHL.
Photo credit: KSDK

Today in a new interview several anonymous NHL scouts gave their opinion on what the Edmonton Oilers will be getting if they decide to sign Brandon Saad.

Yesterday afternoon reports began to connect free agent forward Brandon Saad to the Edmonton Oilers.

Saad had his contract terminated by the St. Louis Blues and is now looking for a new home in the NHL with several sources confirming he would like to come to Edmonton.

With Saad wanting to be an Oiler the question now becomes whether or not this move makes sense for the Oilers themselves to make.

This is a question that several NHL scouts took the time to answer today in an anonymous interview with Sportsnet.

Several NHL Scouts Weigh In On The Impact Brandon Saad Could Have

In the interview the task for these scouts was simple evaluate Saad's game and how he might fit in with the Oilers or other contending teams.

The first scout to weigh in was not certain about the idea of the Oilers signing Saad admitting that the team already has several other skilled veterans who have underperformed compared to expectations.

If I were the Oilers I'd be concerned that they have a lot of guys in the same boat as (Saad). Shadows of once good players, a scout texted on Wednesday night.


Likely looking at a player such as Jeff Skinner who does not have the same type of playoff pedigree but from a skill and expectations perspective is in the same group that Saad would find himself in.

Another scout this time from the Central Division likes the idea of taking a swing on Saad and hoping that in a situation with more talent around him he will improve.

I don't mind him. Skating and shot not what they used to be. Down low game can be good, but it's inconsistent. He'll be motivated and likely better than he was in St. Louis. - Central Division scout.


Another scout confirms that Saad still has the type of game that can work in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and that he does the hard things in a game that takes the pressure off of star players.

Plays in straight lines. Big, strong power forward-type who plays well in the playoffs. Lost a step but still a functional middle-six guy. Plays best in big games. - Atlantic Division scout.


While some are optomistic about Saad's chances to turn things around others believe there is nothing left in the tank for Saad and that no contending team should give him a shot.

Nada. Nothing (left). - Metropolitan Scout.


With such a wide spectrum of opinions regarding Saad's current skill and impact level this situation will all come down to where the Edmonton Oilers find themselves on this spectrum.

If they believe he can find his consistency and take pressure off of McDavid and Draisaitl then a deal is likely.

If they are more unsure about Saad then we could see the Oilers pass on the opportunity to sign him and let Saad go elsewhere.

Only time will tell whether the Oilers interest in Saad is legit and as those discoveries are made we will pass along the latest news.

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NHL Scouts Weigh In On The Impact Brandon Saad Could Have If He Signs With The Edmonton Oilers

Do you think it is a good idea for the Edmonton Oilers to sign Brandon Saad?

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