Brandon Saad, Blue Jackets Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

After acquiring left winger Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks in a seven-player deal Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced Friday that they have signed him to a six-year contract extension. 

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was thrilled to be locking up a two-time Stanley Cup winner until 2020-21: 

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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.

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Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that Saad will make $6 million per year on his new deal. 

At 22 years old, Saad is coming off the best season of his young career, scoring 23 goals and adding 29 assists for a career-high 52 points. He added eight goals in the postseason, helping the Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons. 

In 208 career games, Saad has recorded 126 points and a plus-44 rating. He plays a tough brand of hockey, yet is not penalized often. In those 208 games, he has just 44 penalty minutes.

Already a proven winner, Saad joins a crop of young forwards under the age of 30 in Columbus who will make a serious run in the Eastern Conference next season. Nick Foligno and fellow 22-year-old Ryan Johansen both recorded over 70 points last season. 

Saad could be playing second-line hockey flanking Brandon Dubinsky at center and right winger David Clarkson. Dubinsky is capable of scoring 20 goals or more, but he hasn't done so since recording 24 in 2010-11 with the New York Rangers. Clarkson also has had successful scoring seasons, netting 30 goals in 2011-12 with the New Jersey Devils, but has since underwhelmed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pairing three skilled players like this on a second line could yield high rewards for the Blue Jackets.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com