In his first game since being reacquired by the Chicago Blackhawks, Brandon Saad impressed by recording a hat trick Thursday.
Yes, it's the preseason, and yes, it came at the expense of a Detroit Red Wings team that's not expected to do much in the coming months, but head coach Joel Quenneville believes it may portend what's to come in Saad's second tour of duty with the club.
"I still think there's room where he can go to another level as far as production goes," the coach said after the game, according to Eric Lear of Blackhawks TV.
Saad began his career in Chicago, winning two Stanley Cups while establishing himself as a presence at both ends of the ice.
Traded to Columbus in 2015, he enjoyed career highs in goals (31) and points (53) as a member of the Blue Jackets.
During the offseason, Chicago general manager Stan Bowman pulled the trigger on a deal that brought Saad back at the cost of dynamic winger Artemi Panarin.
"It's always nice to be wanted and welcomed and these fans are the best fans in the league," Saad said, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times, "so it's good to be back."
