Oilers' GM Sets High Expectations for Top Prospect, Matt Savoie

In order for the Edmonton Oilers to finally make it to the finish line and win a Stanley Cup, they are going to need unsung heroes, and a new wave of young talent to push the core of their team. GM Stan Bowman believes he has some of these types of prospects and young forwards in place, including Matt Savoie. 

The 21-year-old Savoie is a major part of the Oilers future and Bowman feels he's as poised to take a big step next year. 

"There is some growth from within," Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said, according to NHL.com's Derek Van Diest. "I think Matt Savoie is probably poised to take a big step next year."

The Oilers landed Savoie from the Buffalo Sabres in a bit of a shocking trade that included Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio. Savoie spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, collecting 54 points in 66 games, and made four appearances with the Oilers, picking up one assist.

"With Savoie, the one thing that I'm very optimistic about is penalty kill and how good he was in Bakersfield in that role," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. "He didn't have any penalty-kill time when he was with us, but certainly, we saw him being a reliable two-way player at five-on-five. The opportunity for Savoie is on the penalty kill, not that he can't be on the power play, but I definitely see him being a big part of our penalty kill."

Savoie and newcomer Isaac Howard are going to battle it out for top-six minutes next season, and the competition up front in Edmonton is going to be very fun to watch come training camp.

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images