Little by little, the Oilers get closer to their opening night roster.
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The team announced on Sunday afternoon that five players have been cut from the training camp roster, including top prospects Matt Savoie and Sam O’Reilly. Seth Griffith, Cam Dineen, and Connor Carrick will join Savoie in Bakersfield.
The #Oilers have released forward Seth Griffith from his PTO & he will report to the @Condors. We have also placed defencemen Cam Dineen & Connor Carrick on waivers for the purpose of assignment & loaned forward Matt Savoie to Bakersfield.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 29, 2024
Savoie, acquired from Buffalo in exchange for Ryan McLeod this summer, was one of the most fascinating players at camp. The diminutive forward came in with an outside chance at making the team with a good camp. In the end, Savoie had an uneven training camp. He showed some offensive pop in pre-season games, with speed to burn and good offensive instincts, but was pushed around and got lost a little against NHL competition.
He’ll be the star of the show in Bakersfield, either as the top-line centre or at right wing. Savoie was drafted at centre but profiles as a winger in the NHL, especially in Edmonton. He’ll get into some NHL games this year if all goes well.
O’Reilly was a pleasant surprise. Selected 32nd overall in this year’s draft, he came into camp as an 18-year-old rookie just hoping to get a game or two under his belt and learn a bit from the veterans. However, he greatly exceeded expectations, scoring a highlight-reel goal in his first shift and keeping up the momentum from there.
Sam O’Reilly makes an excellent play here.
He scans the ice twice, over both shoulders, as he approaches the red line.
Before the puck hits his tape, his right skate is already facing the goal. Allows him to release quickly off his edges. #Oilerspic.twitter.com/cZJEESy2Yb
— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) September 23, 2024
O’Reilly never looked out of place next to bottom-six NHLers, and even got some time on the penalty kill on Saturday against Seattle. For a player touted as a safe, steady defensive centre, O’Reilly’s big camp is very encouraging for the Oilers. He’ll head back to the London Knights, where he’ll be one of the best players on the defending OHL champions.
Among the other cuts was AHL scorer Seth Griffith, who was released from his PTO and heads back to Bakersfield for his fifth season with the Condors.
Also leaving…