Expectations for Edmonton Oilers’ Matthew Savoie in the upcoming season

The Edmonton Oilers are having a mini-youth revolution. Matthew Savoie stands as one of the key players jump-starting this revolution. Savoie enters the 2025–26 season looks to make the jump to the National Hockey League on a full time basis.

With all of that being said, what are the true expectations facing Savoie for this upcoming season?

Step 1: Keep the momentum going

One of the elements that most young players struggle with the most is confidence. Savoie had a good season with Bakersfield last year, and this would have given the young forward lots of confidence, momentum, and energy going into this next campaign.

Expect this momentum to continue if Savoie has a good training camp, and enters the NHL season as a possible Calder candidate.

Step 2: Make the Oilers out of training camp

Last season the St. Albert product was assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, and that proved beneficial to his development and growth as a professional. With the resume of his successful AHL year in 2024–25, expectations this time around are that the 21-year-old forward makes the Oilers.

Savoie does stand as a favourite alongside Isaac Howard to be a first year Oiler for the upcoming campaign.

Other competition for Oilers roster spots that Savoie faces includes David Tomasek, Curtis Lazar, Max Jones, Trent Frederic, Noah Philp, Quinn Hutson, Josh Samanski, and Roby Jarventie.

The speedy forward realistically should make Edmonton out of camp, as Head Coach Kris Knoblauch has discussed possibly even playing Savoie on the penalty kill this season.

Step 3: Find his groove in a top-six role

Savoie’s success might just be determined by his time on ice, and his opportunity cost. Much like Isaac Howard, he would be best used in a top-six role alongside one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. His more complete two-way game would likely blend better with the latter.

From Savoie’s compete level to his skating, and high end senses the prospective rookie would be the ultimate wingman for the big German. Additionally playing with such a high end star like Draisaitl will hide deficiencies in his physicality and finishing.

Playing in the top-six might even elevate his game, and solve issues with his finishing ability.

If Savoie can find some chemistry within the lineup, and is given the opportunity to play in the top six, the Canadian could finish the season around the 40 to 50 point mark.

It is also possible that Savoie enters the Calder Trophy conversation.

What makes a successful season for Savoie?

Calder or not, if Savoie can prove he has the early potential to be an impact player at the NHL level that alone would make this a successful season for the youngster.

The 5’9” forward has shown at every level of hockey that he can control a game and generate chances, which bodes well for his chances of continuing this trend.

If Savoie does not enter the Calder conversation Oilers fans should not panic. Calder conversation or not, his two-way game shows real promise as a top-six forward for the long term future in Edmonton.

Savoie has already outgrown the AHL, so with NHL time, and success both on the ice and confidence growth off the ice there is a good chance he continues this upward trend, as a reliable forward for the blue and orange in the future.

NHL potential: Top six

2025–26 point projection: 45 to 55

What do you think Savoie has to do to have a successful season?