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Columbus Blue Jackets Traded Brandon Saad at Right Time

By William Espy

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 16: Brandon Saad #20 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 16, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Pittsburgh defeated Columbus 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 16: Brandon Saad #20 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 16, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Pittsburgh defeated Columbus 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets traded the winger for forward Artemi Panarin.

When the Columbus Blue Jackets traded for Brandon Saad, many fans saw it as an acquisition that would bolster the roster for a long time to come. Instead the partnership ended fairly early, when just a couple years later Saad would be shipped back to Chicago.

Fast forward to his second season back with the original six franchise, and Saad may be a healthy scratch very early in the season according to Mark Lazerus of the Athletic.

The white jerseys in Chicago Blackhawks’ practices tend to signify a healthy scratch for the upcoming game. The 25-year-old is coming off of his worst full NHL season, which seemingly sways the Artemi Panarin trade in favor of the Blue Jackets regardless of his contract status.

If Brandon Saad continues down this path of regression, it’ll have been a perfect move by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen to move him when he did. At Saad’s current age, he certainly has plenty of time to bounce back.

The question is, how long will Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and general manager Stan Bowman give the forward? Odds are, they won’t give him that much time at all if he continues this form of play.

Despite having two great seasons in Columbus, many felt that Saad was never a fit with the team. In their mind, he acted as if he didn’t want to be there and wanted to be back in Chicago. If this is true, his wish came true but he should’ve been careful what he wished for as it may mark the downfall of his career.

dark. Next. Nick Kypreos vs. Josh Anderson?

The Columbus Blue Jackets fans are all upset at the recent lack of news regarding Artemi Panarin, but it could’ve been much worse. They could’ve been stuck with an under-producing overpaid player like Brandon Saad.

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