2 potential replacements for Matt Savoie for Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers got some bad news this week when it was learned that four players would be out for all of training camp. One of them, Matt Savoie, was being counted on to resume his top-line role alongside Connor McDavid. Now, he will be out for about the first month of the season, per reports. 

As usual, while injuries are a tough break for players, they do provide an opportunity for others to step up. Oilers insider Jim Matheson has suggested two potential replacements for Savoie, one from inside and one from outside the organization.

With Savoie out for camp with inj it gives farmhand Quinn Hutson a chance as RW to play maybe more exhib games. And if Oilers want a PTO winger for camp maybe they could look at local product Tyson Jost who is in town without a contract. Jost has played 564 NHL games

— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) August 27, 2026

Internally, Quinn Hutson will now get a chance to show his wares during the exhibition games, and potentially expedite his arrival in Edmonton on more of a full-time basis. 

One of the Oilers' top prospects, Hutson had a cup of coffee with the team in late December of last season, playing four games, and he played two contests the year before. But the 24-year-old, older and less heralded brother of Lane and Cole, had a breakout season with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL last year. Quinn Hutson posted 33 goals and 63 points in 67 games, then added another three goals in three playoff contests.

Oilers should be looking at UFA Tyson Jost for a PTO

From the external player pool, Matheson suggests that UFA Tyson Jost could be brought in on a professional tryout (PTO) for training camp.

Jost, 28, is a former top 10 overall pick (2016 NHL entry draft) who hails from nearby St. Albert, Alberta. As Matheson notes, Jost is in Edmonton, and looking for a contract and/or an invite to an NHL camp. 

He played 69 games in a depth forward role for the Nashville Predators last season, providing reliable bottom-six minutes after being claimed off waivers early in the campaign from the Carolina Hurricanes. He totalled eight goals and 16 points while playing just over 12 minutes a night. He can also kill penalties, which is something the Oilers could use after losing both Savoie and Janmark for the first month.

In 564 career NHL games across 10 seasons, Jost has recorded 69 goals and 165 points.