If the Chicago Blackhawks are going to trade Brandon Saad, they have to do it this season. Saad’s contract runs through 2021, but the last year of his deal has a modified no-movement-clause. That modified clause lists 10 teams of his choosing that he can be traded to.
Saad’s contract is $6,000,000 AAV of the Blackhawks salary cap this season. They already have $13,068,333 AAV opened up because of injuries to Brent Seabrook, Andrew Shaw, and Calvin de Haan.
In the summer, the Blackhawks will open up around $10,645,705 towards their cap. If they get rid of Saad, they’ll have $16,645,705 to spend.