The Edmonton Oilers traded Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres for top prospect Matthew Savoy. The news shocked the hockey world as neither player was thought to be available. The trade puts immediate question marks on the Oilers' bottom six, but Savoy is a quality prospect we probably haven't seen since Evan Bouchard, so it was worth the trade. It's clear that interim general manager Jeff Jackson will have to fill the hole left by McLeod, but what does this trade mean for Savoy and the Oilers in the short and long term?
Who is Matthew Savoie?
First, we need to understand who Savoy is as a prospect and a player. The 20-year-old right-handed center was selected ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft. He has spent the past three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL), primarily playing for the Wenatchee Wild. Midway through the 2023-24 WHL season, he was traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors in a blockbuster trade. He finished the season with 30 goals and 71 points in 34 games, leading the WHL in points per game. He played for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL), recording two goals and three assists in six games. He also appeared in one NHL game on November 10, 2023 against the Minnesota Wild, going scoreless in less than four minutes.
Related: The Oilers traded Ryan McLeod to the Sabres for prospect Matthew Savoy.
On the ice, Savoie is a dynamic, motor-quick forward with great technique. His vision is among the best in the WHL and he makes consistently accurate passes look routine. Once in the offensive zone, he resembles current Oilers and childhood idol Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as they both have great puck handling and use their feet to get past opponents and create high-danger chances. There are no weaknesses in Savoie's offensive game and his skill set should translate to the NHL.
Savoie short-term plan
By trading a center for a center, it may seem like the Oilers are planning on using Savoy in place of McLeod on the third line, but that's not necessarily the case. Savoy is talented enough to start a season in the NHL, but it may be better to let him develop in the AHL, at least initially, with the Bakersfield Condors.
Savoy still needs to perfect his defense and may benefit from learning in a less-pressure environment. The Oilers have deep pool of players to replace McLeod in the short term, with Nugent Hopkins, Adam Henrique and Dylan Holloway all likely candidates to return to centre. Players like Derek Ryan and James Hamblin could also benefit from the opportunity. It may not look pretty, but Edmonton will find a way to make it work.
It makes sense for Savoy to start in the NHL. Even with his defensive shortcomings and inevitable mistakes, his development would accelerate if he thrives on the third line alongside players like Henrique, Corey Perry, Holloway, Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown. Savoy is definitely ready to play in the NHL, and that question will ultimately be answered by Oilers management during the preseason once the coaching staff gets a closer look at Savoy in practice and games.
Savoie's long-term fit
Of course, things can happen during a prospect's development that can hinder their NHL success, but Savoy's dynamic profile doesn't look like it's going to fade anytime soon. His offensive upside is that he's on pace for 30+ goals and 80+ points throughout his prime, and pairing him with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl could help him reach even greater heights. Though he's currently a center, he could also move to the wing, similar to Nugent-Hopkins or New York Islanders star Mat Barzal.
Over the next few seasons, the Oilers will have a clearer understanding of his role within the organization. There is plenty of footage to show off his skills, but he played for four different teams last season, so once he finds stability within the system, his potential is limitless. He may face challenges this season, potentially bouncing back and forth between the Oilers and Condors, but we expect him to lock down a position in Edmonton's top six and power play within three to four seasons. Additionally, his entry-level contract, at just $886,667 per year for the next three seasons, will be crucial for the Oilers as they prepare to pay McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard over the next two offseasons.
At just 20 years old, Savoie has a promising NHL career ahead of him with limitless possibilities. Given his wide range of skills, the Oilers should focus on putting him in the right environment to develop. Whether that means being installed as a first-line center for the Condors or playing in the NHL this season remains to be seen. But if the Oilers make the right decision, they could be developing a future star.
