Brandon Saad
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) celebrates with left wing Brandon Saad (20) after scoring during Game 6 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Chicago. Reuters/David Banks/USA Today Sports

The Columbus Blue Jackets are not wasting any time in establishing that recently acquired Brandon Saad will be one of the franchise’s cornerstones in their future as they have signed the winger to a six-year deal worth $36 million. ESPN confirmed the deal and the Associated Press reported the contract figure.

Saad, 22, will earn an average of $6 million per season, making him one of the Top 10 highest-paid right wings in the league.

The Blue Jackets acquired Saad in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the offseason. "Adding a player of Brandon's caliber is exciting for the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, and our fans and we are extremely pleased to have reached this long-term commitment that assures he will be an important part of our team for years to come," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in an official statement.

In 208 career regular season games with Chicago, Saad has 52 goals and 74 assists. Last season, he had 23 goals and 29 assists for the Blackhawks, who won the Stanley Cup for the third time in six seasons. Saad also played on Chicago's 2013 Cup team.

Despite winning the NHL title, the Blackhawks reportedly needed to let Saad go because they could not afford to give the young winger a long-term deal.

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