Oilers GM: Savoie 'poised to take a big step next year'

The Edmonton Oilers are counting on some internal development to push them over the top next season, and the organization believes 21-year-old Matt Savoie is among the players capable of a big breakout.

"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."

Savoie was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres last offseason in a deal for Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio. He spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, collecting 54 points in 66 games. Savoie made four appearances with the Oilers, picking up one assist.

While the 5-foot-9 Savoie was touted as a skilled, dynamic forward when he was drafted ninth overall in 2022, he made strides defensively last season by killing penalties. The offseason departure of Connor Brown - one of Edmonton's top penalty killers - creates an opportunity for Savoie to grab a spot on the opening night roster.

"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."

If his game proves to be mature beyond his years, Savoie could potentially play his way into a top-six role alongside either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. That would be a big boon for the Oilers considering he still has two years remaining on his entry-level contract.

"I'm really motivated to push for a spot and be a big contributor for that team," Savoie said. "They're so close to winning the Stanley Cup, and there is no better opportunity to put yourself into."