Report: GM's first priority is to re-sign Blackhawks forward.

If there is one particular Blackhawk deserving of a big payday, it's Brandon Saad. The general manager spoke with Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune about the 22-year-old Saad on Sunday. "He's emerged as a guy coaches trust, so I would think he's going to play an even bigger role next year," said Bowman. "He's ready for that. He'll be 23 and he'll have a couple of years of solid NHL experience under his belt. He's ready for taking that next step to being a featured guy. "We'll get him signed." Saad - a pending restricted free agent - is currently making $832,500 and is set for a big raise after recording 23 goals and 29 assists, while playing in every game for the Blackhawks this season. In order for another NHL team to acquire him, an offer sheet would need to be extended. This doesn't happen often and rarely ends up with a player switching squads, but it's a possibility as Dustin Penner proved in 2007 when he left the Anaheim Ducks for the Edmonton Oilers and a hefty 5-year, $21.5-million contract. Though, it doesn't sound like Bowman is interested in letting this happen with Saad. "(Saad) is a powerful guy," explained Bowman. "When you play with two elite players like Toews and Hossa, those guys are superstars, so for a young kid to come in and be able to read off them and be able to complement them to the point where they enjoy playing with him? That says something. They enjoyed playing with him from the first time that line came together. It's his recognition, his ability to instinctively know how they're going to play."