When he was with the Blackhawks, winger Brandon Saad enjoyed enough postseason success to last a career for most players. Saad helped the Hawks bring home two Stanley Cups.
But after the Hawks and Saad could not agree on a new contract in June before the start of free agency, the Hawks shipped him to the Columbus Blue Jackets and now Saad finds himself on team that is tied for fewest points in the league at the break. Saad is participating in his first All-Star Game this weekend, a noteworthy achievement to be sure, but he did not sugarcoat how this year has gone for him.
“It has been difficult,” Saad said. “It’s a great city, great team, great guys and fans but at the end of the day you want to win and being around that for the past few years it’s something where you’ve never really seen the other end. … It’s just my first taste of it so it’s been adversity for me and a challenge but it’s only going to make me stronger.”
The Blue Jackets are in the midst of rebuilding with Saad as one of their most important pieces in that rebuild. Saad is well on his way to a career year. He has 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) and barring injury, he should surpass his previous career high of 52 points set last season.
Saad said he soaked up a lot of knowledge playing with the Hawks, specifically when he played on the same line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.
Even though he is only 23, Saad has had to assume a leadership role on a young team.
“In Chicago with the superstars they have there you can kind of fall behind them and do your own thing,” Saad said. “In Columbus, you’re going to be a leader and take that role and get more minutes. The biggest thing is bringing that consistency and trying to lead by example for the younger guys because even though I’m young we have a pretty young team in Columbus and a lot of younger guys than me.”
Not happy to be here: Jaromir Jagr, the 43-year-old Panthers winger, basically held a stand-up routine during his media session Friday. You might think Jagr is happy to be here at the All-Star Game. You would be wrong.
“I have to be here,” Jagr said. “I don’t want to be suspended. I don’t want to miss any games. But if I had a choice … I love the idea of the All-Stars and it’s good for the fans, but for me personally at my age, I know what I need for the rest of the season and maybe the playoffs.”
Toews (illness) and Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin (injury) are not participating in Sunday’s game and are also suspended for one regular-season game as a result.
Larkin watching Panarin: Hawks rookie winger Artemi Panarin is on the short list for the Calder Trophy. One of his biggest competitors is Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, who is playing in his first All-Star Game this weekend. Larkin said he has been keeping tabs on Panarin.
“He’s impressive,” Larkin said. “How smooth he is and how good he is on the puck. It’s exciting. He’s going to be a future star.”
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