Saad has recorded 347 points (169 goals, 178 assists) in 588 career regular-season games for the Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets, while adding 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 81 career postseason contests.
Along with Sadd, Colorado acquired defenseman Dennis Gilbert from Chicago in exchange for blueliners Nikita Zadorov and Anton Lindholm.
Having spent six of his eight NHL seasons with the Central-Division rival Blackhawks, Saad has seen firsthand the growth that the Avalanche has taken in the past few years.
"I think just playing against them, I am going to learn more as we go here, but just the elite talent that they have. It's one of those teams where they could not even be having their best night, but they come through with just talent, with scoring goals, playing well defensively," said Saad. "They have a good system, they have a lot of depth as well, I think all those lead into championship teams. Back when we were winning in Chicago, that was kind of the formula. When you have that depth, on any given night someone is going to pull through. Then obviously with the elite talent that they have as well, we had that as well in Chicago.
"I know in Chicago when we were winning, [the Avs] weren't really at their peak, but they were a growing, good, young hockey team. Now, years later, you can see it's a really tough team to play against and a tough building to go into, so it's kind of reverse effects. I'm happy to be a part of them at the peak now with playing with some great players and having a chance to win every year."
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native has hit the 20-goal mark five times in his career, including this past campaign. He recorded 21 markers and added 12 assists in 58 games in 2019-20 before adding two goals and three helpers in nine playoff outings.