Oilers have added perfect new linemate for Leon Draisaitl this season
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
For the second-straight year, Edmonton's Matthew Savoie has ranked number-one as the team's top-prospect, according to Cult of Hockey
The 21-year old now enters his second year as an Oilers' prospect, though it will likely be his last, as he seems ready to become a full-time NHL player right out of training camp.
Oilers' prospect finishes first pro-year as top-rookie in the AHL
Savoie had a productive development-year with the Bakersfield Condors last season, where he finished second in rookie scoring in the AHL, scoring 19G and 54 points in 66 games with the Condors.
However, the former 9th-overall draft pick has much more to offer than just goal scoring; Savoie has developed into a responsible, two-way player who is quite useful on the penalty-kill, and is strong in all three areas of the ice.
In fact, according to reports, it is Matt Savoie's defensive, two-way play that will likely secure him as regular on the top-6, giving coach Knoblauch versatility in the lineup. The Oilers' head coach has praised Matt's work this offseason on the penalty-kill, and advised the young forward that he'll get a good look in that role.
Scouting reports suggest Matt Savoie has a very high hockey-IQ also.
"He is an extremely skilled puck-handler and distributer," analyst David Staples said, "and much of that is due to his very smart offensive instincts. He dishes the puck, quickly and accurately, to the correct spot very soon after receiving it, he is great in small spaces, he sees the ice very well, is great in the give and go game and, also, has the ability to find the soft spaces in the offensive zone and has a very quick release one-timer when he gets the change.
Reports out of camp confirm that Savoie will also get looks alongside Leon Draisaitl at training camp, where he will surely compliment the elite goal-scorer on the wing; Savoie's two-way play will fit nicely beside Draisaitl, much like what Hyman does beside McDavid.
New Friday marks the start of a home-and-home series of Oilers' rookies against Calgary Flames' rookies, and will be an opportunity to see what we can expect from Matt Savoie.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 11 | 426 ANSWERS Oilers have added perfect new linemate for Leon Draisaitl this season Do you see Matt Savoie more as a goal scorer, or a two-way defensive player? | ||
| goal scorer | 225 | 52.8 % |
| two-way, defensive player | 201 | 47.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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