Brandon Saad has experienced plenty on the ice in the NHL the past three seasons. He’s now got a taste of what it can be like off the ice, too.

Saad described his emotions Wednesday after being traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Columbus Blue Jackets the day before.

“I was a little bit shocked and obviously a little sad to go,” Saad said in a transcript provided by the Blue Jackets. “You build relationships, bond with guys and have experiences with them. But at the end of the day you understand the business part of it, and I’m looking forward to a new opportunity and I’m excited to move on and start a new chapter in my career. As for what kind of deal, I’m going to let my agent handle that.”

Saad, 22, became a restricted free agent Wednesday and was fully expected to be re-signed by the Blackhawks, who drafted him and whom he won two Stanley Cups with. But Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and Saad’s agent Lewis Gross couldn’t come to an agreement, which led Bowman to begin looking at potential trades. Saad said Wednesday he didn’t want to get into details of negotiations, but Bowman said Tuesday he didn’t think the sides were ever close to a deal.

Saad said he realized there was the potential the Blackhawks could trade him.

“In the back of your mind, you always know that these things are possible,” Saad said. “That’s just part of the business side of it.”

Saad also acknowledged he allowed his agent to do most of the talking for him.

“As a player, I try to stay out of it as much as possible,” Saad said. “You just try to play the game and have fun. As for the business part, you try to take the emotion out of it. I let my agent do that, and he keeps me informed and talks to me about things that are going on. But for the most part I let him do the work. He knows the business more than I do.”

Saad credited playing with Jonathan Toews and Marion Hossa to his development.

“Those two guys play at both ends of the ice, are leaders on and off the ice and all their habits are tremendous,” Saad said. “For me as a young guy to come in and learn from those types of players, to play with them and interact with them was great. I was pretty much a sponge while I was there. I just tried to take in as much as I could and it helped me become the kind of player I am today. I think that definitely helped speed up my progression and my confidence and helped me become a better player. I really couldn’t thank them enough.”

Saad was excited to see how he fit in with the Blue Jackets and was hopeful they could have their own successes.

“I’m just looking to be a part of the team really,” Saad said. “Having the success and experience I’ve had, I’m just going to be myself around the boys and look to fit in with the team. They’ve done a good job without me, so I’m just going to go and be a part of the team, share my experiences and help out as much as I can. I’m just looking forward to being a part of the team.”