Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: #8
Coming in on our list of the 10 best NHL wings in the Metropolitan Division is Brandon Saad of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets traded for the two-time Stanley Cup forward back in June. They made a huge splash and its ripples should be felt across the NHL for years to come as Saad joins an already impressive forward core.
During the regular season, Saad has been fairly productive.
- 7th in even strength goals per 60 minutes (0.88)
- 6th in even strength assists per 60 minutes (1.15)
- 6th in even strength points per 60 minutes (2.03)
During the postseason, Saad has been impressive. In 67 playoff games, he has 34 points (15 goals and 19 assists). He brings some much-needed playoff experience to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus had been in the playoffs as many times as Saad has won the Stanley Cup (twice).
Saad has impressive possession stats once you take into consideration that Chicago has been an outstanding possession team in each of the past three seasons.
- 11th in HSCF% Relative (3.89%)
- 8th in SCF% Relative (4.59%)
- 18th in CF% Relative (1.89%)
- 16th in FF% Relative (1.97%)
The reason Saad isn’t higher on this list? Saad’s success came alongside such players as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp, and Marian Hossa. Four of those five players will likely be Hall of Famers once they retire. That’s not to say that Foligno and Ryan Johansen are bums. They just aren’t elite players like them.
Saad’s standing on this list depends on how well he does with the Blue Jackets. If he can help take them to the next level, he could jump up on this list very quickly.
Next: Mr. Game 7