Blackhawks GM to RFA Brandon Saad after Cup win: 'We're going to win many together'
After watching his players get the job done on the ice, Stan Bowman's work is far from over.
The Chicago Blackhawks general manager faces the task of navigating the NHL's salary cap while maintaining a level of success the club has become used to over the past six years, with three championships in that time officially in the books.
One of the biggest items on his to-do list will be taking care of young forward Brandon Saad, who's set to become a restricted free agent following a breakout season.
If Bowman's comments right after Game 6 are any indication, Saad isn't going anywhere.
"I just talked to him right after we won, gave him a hug, and I said: 'We're going to win many together,'" Bowman told Pierre LeBrun of ESPN in regard to Saad. "He gave me a big hug and said, 'Let's go!'
"No, he's going to be here. I don't think he would want to leave after this scene here."
Bowman reiterated his intentions Wednesday:
VP/GM Stan Bowman says the #ManChild Brandon Saad is “going to be a big part of our group for years to come.”
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 17, 2015
Still, with twin contract extensions for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews set to kick in next season - paying them both $10.5 million per season - Bowman will need to get creative, something he's keenly aware of.
"We'll enjoy this for a bit first. I've been thinking about this stuff for a long time, it's not like it's going to surprise me," Bowman said. "We'll make it work. We've got a plan in place."
With that, chances are at least one or two players from this latest championship squad will be playing elsewhere next season.