Edmonton Oilers top prospect Matthew Savoie is finally getting his chance with the big club during their upcoming five-game road trip. He was recently called up and was skating alongside Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin in the absence of 4 Nations Face-Off participants Connor McDavid and Viktor Arvidsson.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch stated that the 21-year-old rookie would suit up at some point during the road trip, but didn’t specify when. He will inject some much-needed youth into the lineup. Technically, it won’t be his NHL debut as he played one game for the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 10, 2023, but he only had 3:55 of ice time in that contest.
Related: Oilers Send Top Prospect Matt Savoie to AHL, Delaying Edmonton Debut
The Oilers acquired Savoie from the Sabres in the summer, sending Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio the other way. This was a great deal for Edmonton as they got a legitimate prospect with top-six potential in exchange for a career third-line centre and a lower-end prospect. Savoie was drafted ninth overall by Buffalo in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and is on the cusp of cracking an NHL roster full-time. He had a slow start to the season in the American Hockey League (AHL), but he’s seemingly found his game as of late. In 45 games with the Bakersfield Condors, he’s registered 13 goals and 37 points with a plus-16 rating on a Condors team that struggles to score. Bakersfield is 24th in the league in goals, and last in their division with 136. However, he has 10 points in his previous 10 games. He deserves to get a look before the trade deadline because if he plays well that may alter the organization’s deadline plans.
Savoie Needs to Play
If Savoie is going to get some games, he needs proper ice time and legitimate linemates. Playing under 10 minutes a game in the bottom six will do nothing for his development. He needs skilled players surrounding him. It’s good that he was practicing with Draisaitl because that’s who he should play with. Savoie and Draisaitl have the potential to be a great defensive duo while providing elite offence. Savoie’s defensive abilities have been the most surprising part of his game, which is impressive considering his age. He’s learning to play the right way at the professional level, and that bodes well for his future in Edmonton. He’s playing a 200-foot game and his great defensive efforts have led to offensive opportunities. That type of play will translate well at…
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