Blue Jackets sign Saad to 6-year contract extension worth reported $36M
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The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Brandon Saad to a six-year contract extension.
"Adding a player of Brandon's caliber is exciting for the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and our fans and we are extremely pleased to have reached this long-term commitment that assures he will be an important part of our team for years to come," said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
#CBJ GM Kekalainen celebrating 49th birthday today. "I suppose you could look at this as a present to the Blue Jackets .. and the player."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 3, 2015
Sources told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that the deal is worth $6 million annually, which would mean a $36-million total for Saad over the course of the contract.
#CBJ Brandon Saad's annual grab: $4M in '15-16, then $5.75M in '16-17, $6.25M in '17-18, $6.75M in '18-19 and '19-20, and $6.5M in '20-21.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 3, 2015
The Chicago Blackhawks traded the 22-year-old, along with prospects Michael Paliotta and Alex Broadhurst, to the Blues Jackets in a surprising seven-player blockbuster on Tuesday.
Chicago received Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp, and a fourth-round pick in 2016 in return.
The youngster set career highs in games played (82), goals (23), assists (29), points (52), and game-winning goals (6) last season.