ICYMI: Brandon Saad, Blackhawks Further Apart On Deal Than Initially Expected « CBS Chicago http://t.co/Og4HONy4Pi — Jay Zawaski (@JayZawaski670) June 30, 2015

The Blackhawks are trying to lock up the 22-year-old Saad to a two-year deal worth about $2.8 million annually, one source said. That’s the “bridge deal” that many have suggested could be the ideal outcome for the Blackhawks.



Saad’s camp, however, is hoping to bypass the second contract. They’re seeking a longer-term deal at $4 million-plus per year. Saad’s camp knows it holds leverage over the Blackhawks if he waits until past Wednesday to sign. In such a case, another team could swoop in with an offer sheet, forcing the Blackhawks to match the deal or let Saad walk for draft picks. (Click here for a detailed breakdown on draft pick compensation.)



Saad can begin talking to suitors Tuesday and then potentially sign an offer sheet Wednesday. He’s reportedly garnering interest in the range of five years and $25 million on an offer sheet. There’s “no way” the Blackhawks let Saad walk for that amount, a source said, as they’ll match the deal.

What are the chances Jim Rutherford will extend an offer sheet to a restricted free agent? http://t.co/b2T63FVK3y — Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) June 30, 2015

And why Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday that he will not put out any offer sheets once the free-agent market opens at noon Wednesday. That includes not extending one to Chicago winger Brandon Saad, a Pine-Richland High School product who is developing into an outstanding power forward.



Rutherford cited three factors that mitigate against submitting offer sheets: The steep compensation required if a player’s team opts against matching, fitting the targeted player in under the new team’s salary-cap ceiling and the likelihood that the player’s current team will match any offer.

Report: Flames, Maple Leafs, Sharks, Penguins, Stars interested in free agent Cody Franson. http://t.co/ygiL1YeCbT pic.twitter.com/waBeyOB1Uk — theScore (@theScore) June 30, 2015

Brandon Saad has gotten a lot of attention for being an RFA and when coupled with Chicago's cap situation he makes for one of the more attractive targets.I poured cold water on a potential offer sheet from the Pittsburgh Penguins because I didn't think it was worth their time. Then I read the followingBasically according to this report Chicago is offering a paltry 2.8M while Brandon Saad is looking for a more than reasonable 4M.You have a team who has won three Stanley Cups in the past six years and have the opportunity to make their life more difficult. Make their life more difficult! Don't worry about making another GM mad! They are your competition!Send an offer sheet ~5.4M for five years and make them pay a premium for keeping their talent. Take the 1% chance that Chicago lets him go. Pittsburgh is one of the few alternatives Saad would probably sign an offer sheet for, especially if it bumps his money up significantly. It would be shameful if all 29 teams let Chicago off the hook here. This league is supposed to be competitive. That extra salary bump from a rival offer sheet could be the difference between Chicago keeping Brad Richards are needing to let him go.This isn't going to happen though, at least from Pittsburgh.Jim Rutherford isn't planning on using any offer sheets.This seems a little silly coming from the guy trying to trade for Phil Kessel. A first and a 3rd for a ~5.4M Saad seems a lot more reasonable and at least worth the trouble of writing up the offer.Force the other team to match. Don't just let them negotiate their own terms.Does everybody remember Thomas Vanek's ridiculous offer from Edmonton (7 years 49M)? That was a terrible contract and Buffalo should have never matched, but they did and they paid for it. Make Chicago pay for Saad.This seems like a missed opportunity with Chicago leaving Brandon Saad exposed.And for those worried about getting "paid back" in the future with other teams sending offer sheets their way. Who cares?! If a player is that good then stop messing around and pay the player. If another team offers way above their worth you'll get decent compensation. Eliminating a page out of the free agency strategy book because of future fear is asinine. Do your homework on the players and then be aggressive and bold. Let other teams play scared.****Some good news on the surface hereAll of these teams mentioned could really use Cody Franson. People are clamoring for a youth movement on Pittsburgh's back end but not all youth is created equal. Brian Dumoulin and Scott Harrington strike me as a notch below Simon Despres. If Kris Letang or Olli Maatta go down (both have had recent problems staying in the lineup) then Pittsburgh is left with the following:Maatta-LovejoyScuderi-ColeDumoulin-PouliotThat just isn't going to cut it. Cody Franson is still young enough to give a solid 5 year offer to and in this market giving close to 6M is not bad value. By signing him you can still have room for at least 3 young players if you wanted to.Maatta-LetangPouliot-FransonCole-DumoulinThat is much better.I wrote details about why Franson is an ideal free agent target in May. You can find that here ****Today is the last day to make players available for a buyout. Do not expect Pittsburgh to buy out Rob Scuderi. Yes, the buyout does make sense because there are capable replacements already in the system who make way less. Pittsburgh should be doing anything in its power to maximize value as a cap team. As it stands I would say there are greater than 50% odds Scuderi is on the opening night roster. That would be totally unacceptable.****Lastly, Mark Arcobello was surprisingly not tendered an offer by the Arizona Coyotes. This is an opportunity for Pittsburgh to right their wrong last year. Arcobello scored 17 goals in 2014-15 and will come in under 1M on a potential deal. This is exactly the kind of fourth line center you want for the four scoring line approach.Sheary-Arcobello-EavesThat is the type of 4th line a progressive NHL would ice. PIttsburgh has tried the Max Lapierre, Craig Adams, Zach Sill approach garbage approach. Unskilled grit be damned.It is always a good idea to land 3rd line talent for your 4th line while paying 4th line dollarsThanks for reading!