Matt Savoie isn’t getting a spot next to Connor McDavid as some kind of early Christmas gift. This isn’t about hype, draft pedigree, or raw speed. And it’s definitely not about giving a young player a confidence boost by sticking him next to the best player in the world.
If Savoie is skating on McDavid’s wing, it’s because he’s earned it.
That’s how things work in Edmonton. McDavid doesn’t just take on linemates because they’re fast or promising. If he’s sharing the ice with you, it means you’re doing something right-and Savoie, despite modest point totals so far, is doing a lot of things right.
Let’s start with the basics. Savoie’s offensive numbers-seven points in 26 games-don’t jump off the page.
But the 21-year-old is holding his own in his first full NHL season, showing flashes of the dynamic play that made him a force in the WHL, where he racked up 232 points in 150 games. He’s not lighting up the scoreboard yet, but he’s contributing in ways that matter-retrieving pucks, playing a responsible 200-foot game, and earning trust from the coaching staff.
“He’s been doing a pretty good job,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Tuesday. “The points will come.
It’s not like I look at the lineup and say I have to promote him or demote him. Points?
I’m not concerned.”
That’s telling. Coaches don’t hand out top-six minutes to rookies unless they believe they can handle the responsibility.
Savoie has averaged 14:08 of ice time per game, appearing in all 26 contests so far. He’s logged 308:21 at even strength, 41:54 on the penalty kill, and 17:14 on the power play.
That kind of usage speaks volumes.
“Ice time is a good indicator of what the coach is saying,” Knoblauch added. “He’s played top-six minutes because he’s able to retrieve pucks and that’s important.
He hasn’t been putting up points yet, but you want a good 200-foot game and he’s doing that. He can make plays.
The more experience he gets, the more comfortable he becomes.”
Savoie’s game has drawn comparisons to Kailer Yamamoto, but with a little more burst. Yamamoto was quick; Savoie might be quicker.
And while he may not have Yamamoto’s NHL resume just yet, the tools are there. He’s also shown shades of Vasily Podkolzin-tenacious, relentless, and effective in puck battles.
That kind of energy plays well alongside elite talent like McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
As for Savoie himself, he’s not sweating the slow start on the scoresheet.
“Yeah, at the NHL level, producing points is a tricky thing,” Savoie said. “I’ve produced my whole life though.
I’m not concerned. I know there’s another level of offence I can unlock.”
That confidence isn’t misplaced. Savoie’s junior numbers speak for themselves, and his time in the AHL gave him the kind of pro experience that’s clearly paying off now.
He’s not being overwhelmed. He’s adjusting, learning, and carving out a role.
It’s also worth noting that while fans have questioned why another young winger, Ike Howard, didn’t get the same kind of opportunity earlier this season, Savoie had a full year in Bakersfield to prepare for this shot. That development time matters. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving at the NHL level.
So no, this isn’t about gifting a young player a plum spot because he’s fast or local or once went in the first round. This is about a player doing the little things right-on both ends of the ice-and earning the chance to play with the best.
The points will come. But even without them, Matt Savoie is showing he belongs.