Brandon Saad appears to be further apart from signing a new contract with the Blackhawks, Score 670 AM in Chicago reports.

Saad appears to be further apart from signing a new contract with the Blackhawks, 670 AM The Score reports.

Analysis:

GM Stan Bowman has said that he wanted to get Saad and Marcus Kruger -- both restricted free agents -- signed by Wednesday, the start of the NHL's free agency period, but those efforts have been more difficult than anticipated. The Blackhawks are looking to sign Saad to a two-year contract extension at about $2.8 million annually, while Saad's representatives are apparently looking for a long-term deal worth about $4 million per year. Saad's 2014-15 totals of 23 goals and 29 assists were slightly better than his first full NHL season, and his potential to raise those numbers as he ages should eventually result in the Blackhawks reaching an agreement with the restricted free agent. The team is expected to trade Patrick Sharp at some point this summer to create cap space for Saad's new deal.