Oilers likely to start top prospect on 4th line or AHL, says analyst
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According to analyst Allan Mitchell, it is unlikely that both Oiler-prospects Matt Savoie and Ike Howard will see action with the big club this season, making an AHL start a possibility for at least one of the talented future-stars.
It is unlikely Knoblauch would play both Savoie and Howard on the same line, meaning one of the rookies could see action on the third line while the other would get fourth-line minutes. Since Oilers coaches routinely scrap the fourth line for parts in-game, it's possible one of the two gets sent to the AHL Bakersfield Condors before opening night.
- Allan Mitchell
- Allan Mitchell
Knoblauch has repeatedly emphasized a patient and developmental approach with both Savoie and Howard this preseason, focusing on easing them into the NHL while also allowing them to show their potential.
Training camp and preseason games, of course, are for evaluating a prospect's readiness for the NHL, but the process is not always cut and dry.
For the regular season, when games are for keeps, difficult decisions must be made.
"I thought he did a really good job,» Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said of Savoie's game recently. «It's a new system for all our players, not something that he did last year, but I think for him, he's a smart hockey player. He's very quick. On the penalty kill, you'd like to have a little more reach. That becomes beneficial at times, but he definitely has quickness and smarts.»
From what we've seen so far in the preseason, Savoie is more polished and well-rounded than Howard, benefiting from a year of professional experience in the AHL. He shows quickness, tenacity, and smarts, and a strong two-way play and aggressive forechecking.
Howard is still learning to adjust to the faster pace of the NHL after playing in the NCAA. Offensive upside is evident, particularly with his shot, though he needs to be more involved in play rather than analyzing.
Knoblauch is focused on a slow development process for both Howard and Savoie, not forcing either player into a top-six role immediately to avoid setbacks. The organization aims for them to succeed long-term, building them up for prominent roles when they are ready.
Adjusting to the NHL against better players will be a learning curve for both Matt Savoie and Ike Howard. For one, or both, spending time with Bakersfield and playing big minutes and roles makes sense, if the alternative is limited ice-time in a depth role at the NHL level.
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SEPTEMBRE 27 | 347 ANSWERS Oilers likely to start top prospect on 4th line or AHL, says analyst Do you agree with Knoblauch's possible plan to start one of Howard, Savoie, or both in the NHL to develop more? | ||
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