The Avalanche acquired forward Brandon Saad and defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday in exchange for defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Anton Lindholm, the team announced.
The trade was first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who said the Blackhawks will retain $1 million of Saad’s $6 million contract for 2020-21.
Saad, who turns 28 this month, has reached 20 goals in five seasons, including the last two with Chicago. Gilbert, 23, split his time last season with the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. Gilbert played three years at Notre Dame before turning pro in 2018.