Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks are likely still reveling in the team's 2015 Stanley Cup victory, the third for the franchise in the last six NHL seasons.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, on the other hand, has kept an eye on the team's future, even while doing his own celebrating. Bowman, faced with an important offseason as dual stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane start the first years of mammoth contract extensions which will pay them $10.5 million apiece in 2015 and with the salary cap looking likely to rise only incrementally next year, approached soon-to-be restricted free agent forward Brandon Saad immediately after the Hawks Game 6, series-clinching win and confirmed what has already been speculated by many.
"I just gave him a hug and said, 'This is the (second) of many, we're going to win together,' " Bowman said after the Hawks' 2-0 victory, via Chris Kuc of The Chicago Tribune. "He gave me a big hug and said, 'Let's go.' So ... he's going to be here. I don't think he would want to leave after this scene here."
While happy feelings are all well and good and the euphoria of a second Cup win as a member of the NHL's Chicago franchise isn't likely to fade for at least a few more weeks, eventually brass tax will need to be gotten down to and money, as it always does, talks.
With the Toews and Kane extensions, the Hawks currently have about $64 million committed to just 15 players for 2015. Saad is set for a big payday sometime in the near future after he again upped his statistical totals in several categories during his fourth NHL season, though his restricted free agent status certainly complicated things.
An offer sheet is possible, but unlikely considering the Hawks could simply match whatever deal is handed to Saad by another franchise.
Luckily for Bowman and Hawks fans, Saad seems to have a good perspective on the whole thing.
"I'm not really worried about getting paid," Saad said, via Mark Potash of The Chicago Sun-Times. "We'll get something done. It's an incredible city; an incredible team. I'm looking forward to being here."
Of course, looking forward to being there and being there are two different things, but again, Saad seems to be very in tune with what his role is as an NHL player and what his contract could and likely will mean for the Hawks salary cap construction.
"They were champions before I came," said Saad. "Just to be a part of this team and be around guys that like to win and conduct themselves in the right way, it's huge for my career and I'm happy to be here.
"It's an unbelievable team to be a part of. Obviously, the championship - that's what you play for. Stan's treated me well along the way. I'm looking forward to getting something done this summer."
