Continuing with the countdown, coming in at #16 is the peculiar case of Brandon Saigeon. Saigeon is one of the more interesting prospects in all of the Avalanche organization. Especially when you look at the handling of Saigeon and his current contract situation. but before we get ahead of ourselves we will dive into it, back from the start.





The 6'2" 200lb Center was drafted in the 5th round at 140th overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He was drafted out of the OHL where he played with the Hamilton Bulldogs. At the time Saigeon was coming off of a dominant playoff run. In his draft eligible season he finished the regular season with 35 goals and 70 points in 65 games. However, he really elevated his draft stock after netting 18 goals and 25 points in 21 playoff contests. Watching Saigeon during that playoff run, he was one of the most electric and fun to watch players in all of the CHL post season. Saigeon is one of those players that fits the mold of current prospects we talked about early in the countdown. Very solid size as I mentioned early, but also a two time Alternate captain in Hamilton. Again the leadership trend is certainly something we will continue to see here as we progress with this countdown.





Saigeon followed up his draft year with another very good season, traded 2/3 through the season to the Oshawa Generals, Saigeon suited up in 68 total games in the regular season. After taking a couple games to find his footing with the Generals he eventually finished above a point per game after adding an additional 12 goals and 29 points on top of his 25 goals and 63 points he had in a mere 40 games in Hamilton.





After another solid postseason in which he produced slightly above a point per game there were a bunch of rumblings and rumors that Saigeon would be signing a contract with the Avalanche. After the rumblings everyone just kept waiting and waiting. Then it was reported that a contract would likely come at the end of rookie mini camp in early July. Camp came and went and still no contract came for Saigeon. Eventually in mid July Saigeon finally got a contract... except it was an AHL deal with the Eagles. No contract with the Avs, he is strictly signed with the Eagles. This is interesting because the Avs have contracts to play with as far as the 50 contract cap when it comes to NHL contracts. Currently as of today they have 44 players under contract. It is certainly not uncommon for teams to use more than 44, who or why exactly the Avs are saving those final 6 contract spots is interesting. Obviously just because you have an NHL contract doesn't meant you can't play in the AHL or even ECHL. Just a curious case given how it has been reported how much the Avs like this kid. At this point I would expect it being a case of the Avs wanting to save some contract space for whatever reason, but liking the kid and wanting him to join the Ealges this season and waiting until the end of the season to an NHL deal. The Avs certainly do like this kid.





At rookie mini camp in July, Saigeon was easily one of the most dominant players. He looked comfortable out on the ice and looked better than most of the new guys. He was buzzing all over the place and honestly looked like he didn't need to be there. When you watch this kid play you see a dynamic goal scorer. Whether that will transfer to the pro's or not is the question. But speaking purely of what the scouts and the Avs saw when they drafted him you see a big physical Center that knows how to use his frame and can score goals in many different ways.





Saigeon does an amazing job of driving hard to the net. Many of his goals come off pushing tempo and getting straight to the net. He does a great job of handling the puck with guys draped all over him. Driving to the net with his combination of size and speed makes it very difficult for defenseman to match up on him straight up and take body on him. He knows how to use his frame to his advantage. Watching him play on the power play is a real treat as well. He's played all over on the power play. Parked in front of the net as a physical force? Goals. Playing the half wall, throwing skip passes through the defense or stepping down down with quick wristers? Goals. Playing the blueline and dropping bombs? Goals. He's played all over on the power play and literally everywhere he has been he has put up goals and produced. His versatility and ability to score from all over is what makes him dangerous.





While he is definitely a shoot first type of player he also has a decent ability to help set up goals as well. He displays very good vision out on the ice as well. Perhaps my two favorite qualities for Saigeon though, is the fact that he is consistently buzzing around the ice, this kid is always active and on the move. I love the see it, he looks like a little energizer bunny out there. His best ability though is his finishing ability. He takes his advantage of scoring opportunities. From all over the ice he can finish. Accurate wrister, bomb of a clapper and a quick release. I love his shot and scoring ability, clearly.





The concerns for me as far as it is concerned is what is going to happen when he has to play against bigger and faster competition in the AHL? Obviously there will be growing pains with the bigger and better talent. But what I'm also concerned about is the fact that the way the roster currently stands with the Avs and Eagles is the fact that I don't see this kid getting top 6 minutes with the Ealges. Especially with the way Coach Cronin likes to play his vets and players he trusts. He tends to shelter first year guys. Saigeon will likely be fighting guys like Bowers, Henry, Greer, Kaut, Megna, Shyvrev, Lewis to name a few for playing time in the top 6 and the power play. So how will his game look when he forced into a more defensive role with less minutes. Again, I wont really be looking at stats, but more so how he handles himself as pro and in the role he asked to fill. The best way for rookies and young guys to earn top 6 minutes is to properly fill the role they are asked. I think he has the potential to do so but it will be interesting as a rookie with growing pains. I would not be overly shocked to see him spend some quick spurts in Utah with the Grizzlies this season for very short stints. Just to get him some top 6 minutes and let him dominate a little bit with lots of ice time.





Regardless, it will be interesting to see what his role looks like in his first professional season, just like it will be interesting to see how his contract status plays out over the course of the next 9-12 months.