The Edmonton Oilers organization has a shallow prospect pool because they’re in that win-now mode and draft picks are the currency for any and all trades, but forward Matthew Savoie, just back from the AHL all-star game, certainly looks like a player not that far away.
That early July trade of centre Ryan McLeod to the Buffalo Sabres for Savoie was borne of cap worries after the Oilers president of hockey ops Jeff Jackson had signed sundry free-agents, most of them forwards, a few days earlier. Plus, the Oilers brass felt Adam Henrique was their third-line centre going forward, not McLeod, even if subtracting his speed and penalty-killing ability hurt.
“We looked at Savoie as a young, offensive player with a lot of upside. McLeod was a different style player,” said Oilers GM Stan Bowman, who didn’t join the Oilers until three weeks after Jackson moved McLeod.
And maybe cap concerns, too? McLeod was making $2.1 million AAV, Savoie will be making $886,666 AAV when he makes the Oilers.
“Yeah, that’s part of it as well, making the math work. You’re getting a younger guy who’s locked in on an entry-level deal for a few years,” said Bowman.
Fast skater
The trade is an early W for the Sabres because McLeod has 12 goals and 28 points.
But, Savoie, who grew up in St. Albert and turned 21 on New Years’ Day, is fresh off being Bakersfield’s rep at the American Hockey League all-star game 10 days ago, and being anointed the fastest skater in the skills testing.
He’s been a breath of fresh air on the minor-league squad.
Savoie has 34 points in 42 AHL games, 22 in the last 20 and is +15 in that time. He’s played mostly wing in the minors which is where he figures to start when he makes the jump to the NHL. He’s also being used on the power play and penalty kill with the Condors.
If this was another team in the mushy middle of the NHL pack, he would have gotten a look, by now, but the Oilers are too deep at forward.
Savoie is prepared to wait his turn, though.
This his first AHL kick at the can and the Oilers are loaded. Yet, you can probably pencil him in for a spot on next year’s roster. Maybe even put in in pen because Bowman says “he’s our best player down there, he plays most minutes.”
There’s been no griping from Savoie. He’s fully on board biding his time on the Oilers farm team, in a league much tougher than people give it credit for.
“I’ve done a good job with my mindset, taking it day by day, trying to get better in all the areas I can. Hopefully when the day comes I’m really ready to make an impact in that league and for the Oilers. Yeah, just trying to sharpen by tool set where I’m fully dialed in,” said Savoie, who is currently playing right wing with centre James Hamblin and Drake Caggiula.
“When you do get called up you definitely want to stay in that league and prove that you belong there. I know every player here (AHL) wants to be up there as quickly as possible. But the more time here isn’t a terrible thing,” he said.
Has he always known he’s the fastest skater in the American League?
“Uh, no. First time doing that little lap in a competition (13.654 seconds, which would have put him third at the NHL skills at the 2024 NHL all-star show), kind of cool,” said Savoie, admitting that defenders might play him a little differently now.
“Yeah, that’s a bit of a problem. It’s out there now.”
Embraced his role
Killing penalties in Bakersfield, with his speed and his smarts as an offensive player, is his ticket to making the Oilers in probably a fourth-line role to start. And he’s embraced it.
“I’ve done it on every junior team I’ve been on and it’s a big part of my game, being able to shut down plays and be quick to kill them. My speed is a big asset on the kill,” said Savoie, who knows the PK will buy him more ice-time in the NHL when he gets here.
“Every player wants more minutes and if you can add the PK to your repertoire and be reliable when the team needs a big kill… yeah I want to do that at the next level.
“I thought I was a little bit timid at the start, more nerves on my side. but being acclimated into the organization, I feel more comfortable now.”
Bowman didn’t make the McLeod-for-Savoie trade but he’s a big booster today.
“The area that’s the most encouraging isn’t the points, though. It’s the fact that he’s been a great penalty-killer (Bakersfield). We had a game plan going into the season whereby we knew if he was going to be on our team, he wouldn’t be on our power play,” said Bowman.
“He had to learn how to kill penalties (at the pro level) to help us out and help him round out his game. He’s done a great job.
“He’s also on the power play there and scores. But watching him become an all-around player that’s important. He does things you wouldn’t expect of a young, skilled player. He blocks shots, he plays in all situations.”
Bowman has been down the road of young players trying to crack strong NHL teams before. They have to be very patient. Like it was when he was with the Chicago Blackhawks, when they won their first Stanley Cup.
“He hasn’t complained at all. He’s embraced this. He’s also playing a lot more there than if he was here. His role would be less and he wouldn’t be developing. Like I said, very encouraged with his performance,” said Bowman.
Savoie was selected by the Sabres, ninth overall in the 2022 NHL draft, after dazzling in the Western Hockey League.
While he primarily played centre in junior, Savoie may start as a winger when his time comes to join the Oilers.
Maybe Savoie gets a small look later in the year, just to see what he can do before the NHL playoffs.
“The balance (leaving him in Bakersfield and not a recall) is we want to win as many games as possible (hoping to finish first in the Pacific division) and our lineup has been pretty stable. Knock on wood, we haven’t had injuries at all, and that’s good,” said Bowman.
“But yeah, we’ve talked about it (bringing him up). I have no hesitation using him here. He’s earned it and it would be nice to see how his game translates (AHL to NHL). He’s definitely effective in the American League. I think it would likewise or maybe even more effective playing with better players here.”
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