Matt Savoie is in Edmonton practicing with the Oilers, and the verbal has him possibly playing some NHL games between now and the trade deadline. This is a full blown audition in appearance, but things change and let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
I can say that there should be no surprise that Savoie is pushing for NHL time. History tells us that high-end skill players spend 50 or fewer games in the minors. Miro Satan (25 games) was a fifth-round pick in 1993, but when he scored 24 goals in 25 AHL games at the start of 1994-95, he made the NHL.
Matthew Savoie earned his spot, and the recall (should it come) will be predictable based on his progress with the Bakersfield Condors this season. I wrote about Savoie several times this fall and winter at The Athletic and here at Lowetide. I suggested he earned the recall earlier this month (here) due to his impressive performance.
The fact that top skill players don’t spend much time in the AHL is one of the things the Farm Workers post reminds us each year.
If a prospect can establish himself as an AHL regular at 20, it bodes well for an NHL career, but does not guarantee it.
Matthew Savoie accomplished that early in the year, and should be an NHL regular within a few months. The trade of Ryan McLeod to the Buffalo Sabres took speed away from the big club, but Savoie will be a skill upgrade (and he has great boots) when he arrives. He is the only prospect age 20 in Bakersfield this season.
Over the last decade, If we look at the AHL graduates who had success (Jujhar Khaira, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod, Mike Kesselring, Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg) and compare them to the shy ones (Hartikainen, Yakimov, Benson) I think we’re dealing with players (in both cases) who have a resume with both strengths and weaknesses. The weakness that does seem to be fatal for an NHL career? Foot speed. All of Hartikainen, Yakimov and Benson lacked the boots. Khaira, or Vincent Desharnais, are outliers in that speed wasn’t a strength but they had specific things that allowed them to make it all the way to the top.
Pretty much everyone who is in the AHL past 21 is having some issues and may spend time meandering.
Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg had progress delayed by Ken Holland, but this is a strong rule historically. The 20-year olds two years ago (Xavier Bourgault, Carter Savoie, Tyler Tullio) are all down the line after failing to find traction in Bakersfield. This season, they are running in place, flourishing in the ECHL and not playing much, respectively.
Last year’s age 20 group (Max Wanner, Jayden Grubbe, Matvey Petrov) have had their struggles season over season. I think Petrov is improving to the point we can count him as a prospect doing things that may eventually see him get to the NHL. Improved scoring from Petrov, along with some good form without the puck, are good arrows. Injury has had an impact. Max Wanner has been hurt seemingly forever, and that’s a concern. Skating is the overriding worry, and I can’t tell you if he’s fast enough to make the NHL. It’s not a slam dunk, so I guess that’s an indicator. Jayden Grubbe hasn’t made a step forward this season offensively, but that isn’t going to be his calling card. The numbers suggest he has regressed as a suppression forward. We’ll see.
If you haven’t established yourself as a prospect by age 22, you’re in trouble. The players who will be successful have played at least some games in the NHL during entry deals.
This marks the first appearance of the ‘tweener’ and every team has a pile of them. I always cheer like hell for this group, hoping they can avoid the auto wrecker. Mostly, they do not. Sometimes you’re established as a prospect but can’t stay healthy (Roby Jarventie) so people like me will say things like “he still has a chance” and maybe he does. History tells you to brace yourself, though. Sometimes a tweener (James Hamblin) finds a way to be in the mix for recall, and sometimes the exact same player (Phil Kemp) can’t get a plane ticket for love nor money. We, as fans, spend a lot of time contemplating this group but there aren’t many heroes who move up to the NHL depth chart from here. Tweeners. It’s a thing.
Exceptions are college men, who often turn pro at 22.
College players have some advantages. Their prospect clock begins about four years later than a drafted junior, so fans miss out on the development period and just look at the fully formed player. Noah Philp is one year younger than Lane Pederson, but the prospect folks like me regard one as a possible NHL solution and the other like a career AHLer. I think NHL teams look past guys like Pederson, too.
No matter what you and I think about a specific AHL player, the largest category of player in the minors is ‘tweener’.
This is the beating heart of the AHL. The leagues welcomes Tyler Benson when he’s a significant prospect, he delivers in every area but foot speed, and the entry deal goes by in the wink of an eye. The attention of the organization and fans moves on to the next crop of hopefuls, but the AHL remains home. Sometimes, the tweener finds his way to the NHL, but most often it’s a strong payday in European hockey. Phil Kemp is a tweener. Rob Schremp was a tweener. If you took every prospect outside the first round and called them a tweener on the day of AHL arrival, you would be correct most of the time. I consider those who make it from the lower rounds (Ryan McLeod, Stuart Skinner, Mike Kesselring) to be some of the most enjoyable story lines in sports. They cheated the odds and won the day. Music!
If we make a list of rfa’s each summer, we can probably pick the cuts and be pretty close.
Last year, I wrote “Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, James Hamblin, Raphael Lavoie, Carter Savoie, Noel Hoefenmayer, Cam Dineen, Markus Niemelainen, Olivier Rodrigue all return. I’m uncertain about Ryan Fanti, but there’s no draft pick goalie turning pro (unless Samuel Jonsson comes over and that seems unlikely). I could see one of the LH defensemen being dealt, it’s a damned logjam at the Leftorium. So, the offer sheets happened, Lavoie was lost to waivers, they walked Savoie and Niemelainen, plus traded Hoefenmayer eventually. That’s a stunning amount of turnover. Ken Holland exited and the organization flushed most of his work before Labour Day.
Dan Cleary, Fernando Pisani, Jason Chimera, Stuart Skinner and Ryan McLeod are the success stories in this study.
Matt Savoie won’t make this list, because he was never really an AHL player. The key to the Bakersfield Condors is in developing Mike Kesselring and similar. Edmonton’s draft picks since 2000 who match the description: Jarret Stoll, Matt Greene, Kyle Brodziak, Jeff Petry, Tyler Pitlick, Tobias Rieder, Erik Gustafsson, Jujhar Khaira, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear, Skinner, McLeod. And Kesselring. My choice for next man up? Noah Philp. Godspeed, young man.
The Lowdown hits at noon today, Sports 1440. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will join us at 1pm, and we’ll chat about the Matthew Savoie news, the 4-Nations and the trade deadline. We’ll also talk about this. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio, Radioplayer Canada, it’s available post-show on apple and spotify, and we tweet it out on X.
As NHL trade deadline nears, Oilers should target an unlikely option
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6143669/2025/02/19/oilers-trade-deadline-bowman-jordan-eberle-kraken/
Would love to see Eberle back on the Oilers. Not sure if it works if the Oilers are absorbing his entire cap hit, and I’m not sure the Kraken trade him while retaining 50% without giving up Savoie or the 2026 first.
Love the player, but I’d pass if that’s the asking price. Maybe at next year’s TDL …
How is Eberle’s pelvis?
Matt Savoie will pass Eberle for 2RW well before the end of Eberle’s contract – perhaps as early as this Saturday….
I am a fan of the player, but not the acquisition cost. His contract and his injury is a major concern.
I was obsessed with a Nic Dowd acquisition last season, this year it’s JG Pageau. He is such a great depth player. He would be the ideal 3C on this team.
I also like Jared McCann as a target.
Petrov with a great battle starting high in the defensive zone (boards) and in to the neutral zone, pokes it to Hamblin in the neutral zone who feeds Caggulia for the breakaway – buries it while being hooked.
3-2 with half the third to go.
Fantastic outlet pass by Dineen to spring Grubbe on a 2 on 1.
Grubbe with the pass across right in to D’Amato’s skates but a nice bounce off the skate and in – D’Amato may have got a stick on it.
Henderson up 3-1 in the third.
Offence tough to come by with Savoie up and Ryan still not with the team yet.
Raphael Lavoie showing signs of life for Henderson.
With a goal tonight, he now has 7 goals in his last 6 games.
He recently got called up for 4 games with Vegas so maybe this is a confidence inspired spurt.
Petrov gets the bump to 1RW with Savoie in Edmonton.
I don’t follow other leagues very closely, but I just discovered his North Bay linemates are teammates in Barrie. Tarkus or an OHL follower may have mentioned this in mid-Jan when the trades went down.
Last season Anthony Romani, the RW, had 58 goals and 111 points, Wakely, at C, had 39 goals and 104 pts, while their LW, Owen Van Steensel had 41 goals and 86 points.
Barrie is the top team in the division and North Bay is last, so the trade is self-explanatory. I am sure this happens a bit in the junior ranks, but it is interesting nonetheless.
Romani has 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games, the LW has 1 goal and 2 apples and our guy has 5 assists in his last 3. Perhaps they are on a roll and will go on a bit of a tear. This will be interesting to watch….
Romani, a 6th round pick of Vancouver in the 2024 draft, suffered a broken clavicle in early October and is just getting back up to speed.
Significant results should be expected when he does…..pure sniper.
re: Ratanen and the deadline.
If the Oilers are going to go big, I prefer a dman.
Throw a bunch of assets not named Savoie at Byram or Dobson.
Like what assets thought?
Am I crazy for wanting to see 53-97-18 again at some point?
After the poor results earlier in the year I understand why KK hasn’t revisited it, but Skinner’s playing a lot better on both sides of the puck. Given their skillsets that line would be terrifying if they could find a way to keep high danger chances against to a minimum.
1) Looking forward to the 4N final more than I thought I would be, but mostly looking forward to the tournament being over and the Oilers getting back in action. Ekholm/Arvidsson made it out relatively unscathed, hopefully McDavid does too.
2) I would be very interested to know if/how the age of the player in their draft year correlates to success stories from the farm. Would expect it shows that younger players fare better, but that’s just based on overall trends.
3) I’m not opposed to giving Savoie a callup/audition, but a bit surprised of the timing: if they wanted to see what they had in the player before the deadline, I would have expected a callup with more than 5 games before the deadline.
4) Savoie Deployment: I think starting him out on a line with a steady hand in the middle (93 or 19) would make sense. Softer opposition, giving him lots of touches with the puck and creating opportunities for his linemates. Give him a few shifts with McDrai throughout the game, see how he he does, and if he can find some chem with one of them, music! Immediately inserting him into the top 6 might be asking a lot of him.
If he’s called up and I’m making the lines for Saturday’s game against PHI:
19-97-18
53-29-29
33-93-Savoie
28-13-90
5) Ideally Savoie can find chem with 97-18. 29-92 has had successful runs with each of 53 and 33, while 97-18 did not (might be the eye-test failing me, but I don’t recall 33-97-18 looking particularly good)
As far as Eberle, I know it’s ancient history but when the Oil had that mini playoff run in ’17 he was MIA. 2 assists in 13 games. Ugh
And in the 7 seasons since, Eberle has recorded 45 points in 63 playoff games with the Islanders and the Kraken including 4 GWG, 2 of which were in OT. His most recent playoff history from 2 season ago, he led Seattle in goals (6) and was second in point (11) in 14 games as the Kraken defeated Colorado in 7 and the pushed Dallas to 7.
The Oilers gave up on him too soon. But maybe the time is past. He is not soft, but the Oilers probably do need more physicality with Skill to round out the forward group.
Ya talk about a poor decision based on 13 games.
We were told of the USA really cares, Hughes would play. Sounds like hes stayin put in VCR.
Wouldn’t it be awkward if there was a last minute illness or injury, and Hughes was stuck in VCR.
He hasn’t been cleared to play medically by Vancouver’s medical team. He is not going period
I was under the impression he was good to go, but stayed because the rules stated he couldn’t play. Didn’t know that Vancouver had not cleared him.
So does Philip get another opportunity this season or has he been shuffled off to next season? Many of us were expecting him to be an impactful 4 th line centre, 2nd half of this season. He obviously didn’t make a favourable impression with KK as he didn’t get much ice time and was sent back down. Always tough to crack a veteran line up and missing last season also set him back. Still hoping he makes it!
I don’t think Savoie was sent to Bakersfield because he wasn’t making a favourable impression on Coach K. Knoblauch made a point to speak glowingly of Matt when he was sent down at the end of training camp.
The circumstances made it difficult to play a sophmore over Skinner and Arvidsson. The org spent $7M bringing in the two veteran wingers to try find chem with McDavid or Drai so the optics of benching one of them in favor of a 2nd yr player would have made the decision makers look bad. Arvidsson has gone thru stretches of injury but has been okay with either of the two stars. Skinner hasn’t really meshed with anyone so he’s the jigsaw piece that’s left over with no matches. We’ve played 60% of the season and with iffy results from both of the UFA wingers, it’s time to try a new option.
Playing top line, PK, and PP with the Condors, Savoie showed at the AHL level he could push the river. The time Matt S spent in the AHL was never to prepare him for bottom 6 minutes. He was always going to be slotted into a top 6 elite vs elite role once he “arrived” in the NHL.
That’s why he was on Leon’s wing for practice yesterday. His opportunity starts now. I really hope he makes the jump because he’ll be a bargain solution on the top two lines for the next few years!
The Oilers prospect pool is thin but there aren’t too many pending openings on the big club either. Looking at the UFAs and imagining the internal replacements: Jeff Skinner to be replaced by Matt Savoie(2LW); Corey Perry to be replaced by Maxim Beryozkin (4RW) ;Derek Ryan to be replaced by Noah Philp(4C); Travis Dermott to be replaced by Phil Kemp(7-8D); John Klingberg to be replaced by Beau Akey(5-6D);
Any comments?
Akey is likely a couple of years away yet.
Don’t sleep on Lachance and Jarventie, if he can stay healthy.
Although largely unknown to Oilers fans (and also a few years away) Paul Fischer is making good progress at Notre Dame.
Agreed – Akey will assuredly spend the entire 2025/26 season in the AHL and likely longer.
I’m hoping they get LaChance signed and in some AHL games this year. He is real but I wouldn’t think he’d go straight to the NHL.
I’ve only seen Jarventie play 2 AHL games but, yup, 100%, that kid is NHL read – the ability to play is the only thing. Here is hoping he can get his rehab done by summer and hockey train this summer.
I can’t imagine Phil Kemp doesn’t run as far from the Oilers org as he can when he becomes a Group 6 UFA on July 1.
Savoie would be a RW.
Berezkin is a right shot LW.
I think Joel Määtä, if signed, could take on the Janmark role (4LW) in 2-3 seasons. Sure, the offense is shy, but he is a big, fast, defensively responsible player who does the dirty work. Coaches love this player type. He is probably the most overlooked draft pick by Oiler fans, he is a much better NHL prospect than Filip Engaras (2020 6th rounder) and Carl Berglund (2023 NCAA UFA), Swedish NCAA players who both play/played in Bakersfield.
Shane LaChance, perhaps, but his skating is a concern for me. He plays on a great team, he is also a legacy player, so he has been given a certain preferential treatment there, I suspect (father played 1 season, but was the 4th OV pick in his Draft Year, maternal grandfather – 40 yr HC, both are legends at BU). His roots are in Boston, so there is also possibility he won’t sign with Edmonton. Perhaps he would be part of the ask in a trade for Trent Frederic.
As a Kulak replacement in 2-3 years, I like Muzenberger’s potential. He has a great toolbox.
I think O’Reilly will arrive quickly as a 3C, perhaps in 3 seasons.
I am anxiously awaiting the end of the NCAA season for a Munzenburger signing (along with LaChance).
I’m got some Kesselring type vibes with him – some similarities in skill-set and reasons for muted counting stats in college.
Beryzoken as well but that’s a June signing.
My thoughts exactly with Muzenberger!
It would also be a huge bonus if Yevseyev could be signed. There are holes on LD they could both fill in Bakersfield next season.
LD: Dineen, Muzenberger, Yeveyev
RD: Brown, Attard, Wanner, plus Regula (if he survives waivers, etc).
The earliest that Vermont could conclude their season is March 12, three weeks hence.
Same for BU, though I suppose them being a ranked team would still get them invited to the Frozen Four even if they got upset in the opening round.
Thanks.
Savoie with Drai and Podz at practice again today. I would expect this to start on Saturday.
That line seems to be the perfect blend of complimentary skills.
If KK runs with it on Saturday, where does that leave the other lines? I want to see a ‘grumpy old man’ 3rd line of Henrique – Nugent-Hopkins – Arvidsson, so that leaves Skinner – McDavid – Hyman as the 1st line. Seems pretty solid!
At practice yesterday, D. Ryan was between Nuge and Hyman – seemingly a placeholder for McDavid.
Probably
Skinner/Henrique____
_____/Jamark/_____
Kap, Brown and Perry in the blanks some way.
You think no Arvi?
Nope – totally forgot about him.
Likely Kapanen with the scratch.
I wouldn’t hate this configuration, I really want to see 53-97-18 get another look, especially how Skinner’s game has come around
Savoie on a line with Drai and Podkolzin at practise today
There goes my theory. I hope the kid knocks it out if the park
All rookies should be instantly placed with Draisaitl.
Draisaitl’s like the gold standard of perfect NHLers. Even Yakupov seemed like a legitimate player when paired with Neon Leon.
Basically, if a rookie can’t play well with Leon, he’s got real problems.
Yak was a point per game with McDavid until that blasted ref
can’t believe you are advocating an Eberle acquisition. He’s the last thing the Oilers need. An aging soft, small player who doesn’t PK isn’t ripe for the playoffs. And the cost to acquire is nowhere near a 1st rd pick plus a top prospect, especially at his salary. A 2nd rd pick wld be the max and I wouldn’t even pay that. A J Pageau wld be a much better target, a sound defensive Center who is good on draws and PK wld reap far more better results for playoffs as well as lineup versatility. Eberle is another skinner and I’d take skinner at his lower cap hit and not needing to spend assets to acquire
LT has always had a soft spot for the ones that got away.
I agree – we already have that player type in Jeff Skinner.
If we’re sending Seattle a first, it better be for McCann.
McCann’s playoff results don’t worry you? He has never performed well in the postseason.
His playoff results (76, 19-28-47) are pretty much in line with his career averages, so I don’t think it’s fair to paint him as a ghost/liability in the playoffs.
I don’t think it’s a good fit this season (maybe next year if he’s cheaper to acquire/more cap space), but I wouldn’t hate the move if the asking price was a 2nd. Toffoli got traded for a 2nd and a 3rd last year, Mantha for a 2nd and a 4th. A 1st might be a bit steep but those two were pending UFAs.
Nuge-McDavid-Hyman
Kane-Draisaitl-Savoie
Skinner-Henrique-Ardvisson
Janmark-Philp-Podkolzin
looks very solid
Nuge has looked out of place as 1LW the entire year – they need to find a better option, letting him anchor a strong 3L that can keep things low event and/or outscore easier minutes.
Kane back to form as a top 6 option would be great but I don’t think he’ll be ready for top 6 minutes this year.
No Corey Perry, who trails only McDrai, Hyman, and Nuge in goals?
Poor Podz on the 4L 🙁
In the last 5 years Connor McDavid leads the league in assists at 401, 67 more then 2nd place. 103 more then Draisaitl.
Imo the coach should be deploying Savoie with both McDavid and Draisaitl, either center could be the perfect fit for Savoie.
Savoie is great at getting to the soft spots, one timer, big brain, quick. McDavid as much as Draisaitl would make great use of all these skills, this is undeniable.
Who knows he could even be loaded up with Connor & Leon. It all remains to be seen. Nothing should be written in stone as of yet.
Dallas seems to know how to get their young forwards going. Johnston and Stankoven I believe were used 3rd line
Henrique is a smart player, and plays a more traditional style – easier to mesh with. That’s where I would start him, maybe Pod LW or Skinner if he can’t hold in the top 6. Figure our 4C. Might boost bottom 6 offense, and lower comp with good players
If Arvidsson is healthy I’d leave him top 6, he played some good games for Sweden, try to keep building and have him doing his normal thing come playoffs
Stankoven is currently on their 4th line I believe. I guess the acquisition of Granlund pushed him down.
Major injuries in key development seasons can really alter the career of a player with promise. What if Tyler Benson did not miss all that time near the end of his junior career (and I think those injuries altered his skating forever).
Petrov was developing day by day until that dirty hit by Giavani Smith took him out for about a month. He’s playing OK since he’s been back but not at the prior levels – at least not yet.
Wanner being out forever combined with him not progressing much after a great rookie season makes this almost a lost year. There was thought of him being ready to compete for an NHL job next season – tough to see him not in the AHL most of next season now.
Grubbe is a very strong defensive player but, at least for me, players with essentially zero offence at the AHL level rarely make it as every day players in the NHL. Depth NHL players scored at the AHL level – usually.
and, two more years on his ELC with a cap hit of $886,666.
Of note, recall they had Savoie on the opening night roster at the time they put Kane in LTIR and set their LTIR pools – this set the performance bonus pool so that Savoie’s performance bonuses do NOT need to be accounted for in his cap hit as the Oilers will be in LTIR again when he’s officially recalled this week.
Not only does the video have Savoie paying NHL games but the coach condoned that and the video has Savoie playing with Leon.
I’ve been saying for two months that, in due course, Drai might be the perfect center for Savoie (and Savoie for Drai).
Big jump to the NHL but Savoie’s top offensive attributes is making quick, smart and skilled plays with puck – he gets the puck to the right places. He goes to the smart offensive players and has a solid one-timer. Add tenacity on the forecheck, board battle efficiency greater than his size and very solid 2-way play.
For all we know, he starts in the bottom six or coach moves him off Leon’s line after 2 shifts or, maybe, just maybe, he fits at 2R2 and works right away and we don’t look back.
I am excited (although less excited for the Condors’ game tonight).
Plans change. I hope Savoie plays, but the game isn’t tonight and we could see all manner of tweaks before the weekend.
Sure, fair enough, but with the coach saying straight up he’s playing on this road trip, barring an injury or illness to the player (or a major trade), I’m very excited to see him play his first (of many) games as an Oiler.
I think in a perfect world, Savoie finds chem with 97-18. 29 has had great results with multiple different linemates this year, but the Oilers would really benefit in a lineup configuration that doesn’t have Nuge as 1LW and so far their on-roster solutions have had limited success with 97.
Given the KK blender, there’s a decent chance he plays on 3 or 4 different lines in a game. Personally, I’d like to see them start the PHI game with 19 as 1LW (just to see if there’s anything still there) with Savoie on a 93-centered 3L. Give him some shifts with 97 and 29 and see if they can make some music together.
The more I think about trade deadline acquisitions, the less I think about acquisitions in terms of position/handedness, but more in terms of lineup configuration. I love RNH, but a move that moves him down the depth chart is worth pursuing. Whether it’s a linemate for 97-18, a 4C if Henrique fits on the 1st line, or a linemate for 29 that lets one of his linemates join 97-18.
I don’t know if Savoie is competent on both wings. But that could factor in, his two-way style bodes well in the top nine. His direct competition might be Arvidsson & Skinner in the top six.
What made Yamamoto so effective when first called up in my opinion was his quick give and goes with Leon and Nuge and his willingness to go to the hard areas while doing it. What in your opinion will make Savoie effective playing with Pod and Leon? Is Savoie good at avoiding contact from the enemy fire? Does Savoie score his 1st N.H.L goal this weekend?
Get the puck and give it to Leon, he’ll take care of it. Be ready for a pass at all times and keep your stick on the ice. I’d rather compare Savoie to Caufield not Yamamoto.
My goodness man, I have posted my opinion on this question numerous times and at least 3 times in direct response to you asking me.
You are either trolling me by asking or you don’t read the responses when you ask the questions – its become frustrating.
I can relate.
If this is directed at me – I will provide an opinion that is not the same of yours on topics, and will repeat my opposing opinon when it comes up again over time – that is not the same.
Not trolling just looking for a honest response from someone that’s viewed most of Savoie’s 45 games in Bakersfield. Obviously Savoie is a different player the last 25 games than the first 20. Is that due to a new league playing with men getting familiar with the AHL or is it a combination of that and playing with scrubs as its almost detrimental having a skill player stuck with plug linemates. What part of Savoie game has matured the most over the 45 games stretch. There was talk of him even being a Centre is that something that may possibly be a option in the future. I’m super excited about his debut we’re going to get a glimpse of why he cost us a very useful and well liked McLeod. I also believe he’ll score a Goal this weekend while others may not wish he succeeds for one reason or another.
For me, he touches the puck more now, but he was trying to do things right away and that’s a very good sign. He isn’t so much fancy Dan (like Schremp) as aggressively creative. He has gotten more comfortable, as you would expect.
Holland brought stability but it felt like we were always chasing our tails. Bowman has this team on cruise control he didn’t hem himself in on the cap like Holland always did. This is a proper audition for Savoie will see if he’s ready or not. I like the Chicago model of building in a cap world better then just buying off Soviet Union Nationals and then throwing a brinks truck at the CCCP Red Army Stars.
But why male models?
I like his Savoie Faire… Dad joke alert.
Great to see Savoie up. Question is where does Knoblauch play him?
They can’t bring this kid in and staple him on the 4th line with 7-8 minutes. He isn’t that kid. He is a very smart, slick and quick skater that fires an excellent pass and can play great D, good PK and has a great shot. Some are thinking they plug him on Drai’s wing, but Skinner was very good on Drai’s line leading up to 4 Nations. Please leave him there and give him another 4-5 games on that wing. If he keeps producing perfect. Maybe he is that winger for the rest of the year and playoffs.
So Savoie? Put him right in the fire on McD’s L. This does 2 things. If he pops great, it also puts Nuge on the 3rd dot which really could be a great thing and Strengthen that 3rd line.
lots of if’s and but’s .
Just don’t sink that kid on the 4th please. The 3rd with Henrique Podz would hopefully be as low as they put him
Your idea of putting a rookie in a position to succeed is to put him in the top 6 on mcdavid minutes? No pressure kid.
I thought we were past sink or swim era. Ease the kid in and let him get his bearings.
Holland is gone there’s a new Sheriff in town.
I’m all for easing a player into the lineup + don’t want Savoie to be Jultz’d, but the Oilers only have 5 games before the TDL to give him an audition for the “scoring winger” role.
I’d run him on 19 or 93’s wing for the first game, give him a few shifts with each of 97 and 29 to see how he does. Adjust lines accordingly based on how he does. Hopefully he kills it
I think 5 games probably isn’t enough time to get a full view of the player before the TDL. But if the thought is he might obviate the need to acquire a scoring winger to go with 97 or 29 at the TDL, keeping him down the lineup doesn’t help you figure out if he’s the answer to that question.
He’ll have seven games to prove himself as a solution. Either way if he sticks in Edmonton for years to come, or if he’s moved at the deadline, he will be part of the solution moving forward.
Well, two practices in a row he’s been with Podz and Drai – which is the perfect spot for his skill set.
Of note, Stauff mentioned that Kane skated after practice yesterday.
Kane is sure working hard to ensure there is no LTIR room for the deadline, isn’t he? I actually don’t know if he is a help to the team at all for the playoffs. I’m often wrong on things, this is just me musing out loud.
If he comes back at 100% and is truly healed up, then playing a bunch of games prior to the playoffs is actually a good thing to get him ready. But he really has to be 100%
Actually like 110% .
Sure it sucks that they lose out on the LTIR for a piece or 2, but if he is really healthy he is just like getting a middle 6 winger that is tough as nails if fully healthy and will help this team.
They are really going to have to monitor this over the next few weeks.
Going to be an interesting next 2 weeks and trade deadline for the Oilers .
If they move out someone like an Arvidson ( as an example and not saying they will) in the next 2 weeks, would that signal Kane is coming back early and they are freeing up $$$. For the deadline.
It is going to be a fun few weeks
I think Kane is working hard to get himself rehabbed and to get ready to play hockey.
Skating by one’s self post practice is a LONG ways from activation.
I am just speculating but I would be shocked if he’s activated in the regular season – that means less then zero cap room – they would have to reduce the roster size just to activate him.
What he might bring if he’s back in the playoffs? I don’t know. At the least, he’ll be a bottom six banger. Is he a top six power forward? Likely not at 2023 level.
Kane must realize his return during the regular season only hurts the team. He doesn’t even know if he will help the team when he finally gets activated.
The man is just going about his rehab and training.
If he is “ready” to play on, say, April 1, I’m confident he isn’t going to demand activations
Hopefully they get him ready and to 100% for the playoffs. I guess if he comes back early at 100% he can get into game shape, but it kills a lot of $$$$ they could use at the deadline. I guess they are going to have to make some decisions on him by 2 weeks from this Friday.
If he is skating, ( No clue what that really tells us, besides he took a whirl) there are still 7 1/2. – 8 weeks left in the reg season. That is lots of time for him to slot in.
I don’t think Kane skating necessarily means that he’s going to be ready to play NHL regular season games. Nor do I think the team’s medical staff will allow him to play any games before the playoffs, if he is even ready for playoff action. Bowman needs to conduct his business as if Kane will not be ready for action this season.
re: tyler benson. It’s almost impossible to believe that he has 0 points in 24 games this year in the SHL, given his 20 year old season in the AHL. I would love to hear a candid interview with him assessing his career. Schremp has provided a few in recent years that have been extremely interesting.
Remember when everyone was freaking out about losing him to Seattle in the expansion draft.
Oilers fans have forever overvalued their own prospects (as do the die hard fans of other teams as well).
Hey, not everyone freaked out!
But yes, I’m guilty of overvaluing Oilers prospects for sure.
Benson was always way too slow for the NHL. I wonder if he struggles with that larger ice.
Hey LT. Not to pick at nits, but you called Matt Savoie, Lavoie, in paragraph 2.
I too hope good things for the young man. I am very interested to see where they line him up.
Fixed and I thank you.
Also Paragraph 3!
Take me now, JESUS!
Picking another nit. John Marino never actually played in the AHL. He went straight to the NHL from Harvard to Pitt.