Matt Savoie was a ‘great student’ in Bakersfield, now it’s time for his versatility to shine with Oilers

What differentiates the 21-year-old prospects Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard, who both are primed to start the season with the Edmonton Oilers?

​While smaller and without the Hobey Baker pedigree included in Howard’s resume, Savoie enters this Rookie Camp with a season of pro hockey in the Oilers system.

​That’s why I’m more confident in Savoie’s ability to impact the Oilers roster this upcoming season – he proved to the brass he can provide versatility in his play, with or without the puck.

​With the seeds first planted with the Winnipeg Ice years ago, Bakersfield Condors bench boss Colin Chaulk tested the young man in shorthanded situations throughout 2024-25, something Savoie embraced.

​“I think I’m really effective on the penalty kill just because of my legs, the way I think the game,” Savoie told reporters during a media avail on Thursday.

​“I have a lot of experience on the power play. Sometimes I can pre-read some of the things that the offensive guys are thinking. So I’m quick on plays, and I can break stuff up. I think I’m a good penalty killer and can help out up here.”

​The focus is on the kids. Oilers Rookie Camp began on Wednesday as these fresh faces get ice time and structured scrutiny ahead of two games against Calgary Flames rookies.

​Savoie’s offensive instincts were the driving force behind his 8th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, and he’s scored at an impressive rate throughout his junior career.

​But how would someone of his diminutive stature, standing 5-foot-8 and last weighing in at 179lbs, translate to the pro game?

​The American Hockey League, a bullpen of young rising talents with grizzled pros, allowed Savoie to become a “man” in the words of Chaulk.

​“What we saw was him blocking shots, him playing with two hands and heavy on his stick, withstanding a heavier veteran of 400 or 500 games leaning on him, saw him understanding when to take risks and when maybe just to live to fight another day,” Chaulk said when interviewed on Thursday.

​“That takes time, and everybody develops in different areas. But I would say what we saw with Matt was he became a young man, and we saw some strides as the season went on.”

​He went through his struggles offensively adjusting through October and November. But as the season went along, he finished with 54 points in 66 games, second amongst Condors.

​The St. Albert product then concluded his year with 11 points in the last 11 games.

​Savoie has innate offensive abilities. As Chaulk admits, those are the hardest to teach.

​But instilling the play without the puck was what Kris Knoblauch and Keith Gretzky wanted to see most out of Savoie. They want him to be effective whether he is in the top-6 or not.

​“That young man embraced it. One of the real defining moments was for me on a road trip in Calgary. We’re losing the game 4-1. The game was over. There’s seven or eight minutes left, and Matt Savoie laid down in front of a shot. That was like, ‘Okay wow, he really wants to do the hard things.’ That was just a moment that I’ll remember,” said Chaulk.

​“Moments like that, getting the reps, the player has to meet you halfway. They ought to want to do it. Matt was a great student.”

​With those games logged, and another off-season training of bigger-faster-stronger, Savoie says he feels more comfortable heading into the season.

​Ample opportunity awaits. The depth chart is aching for wingers to step in and seize these roles after the off-season exodus of veterans.

​But versatility is what gives him some distinction, at least within the organization so far. If Savoie can’t score, can he still contribute?

​“I can play wherever. I have a lot of experience at center. I feel like I can play in the D zone, low guy or high guy, and be a very versatile player out there.”

​Edmonton Oilers rookies host the Calgary Flames rookies on Friday night at Rogers Place at 7:00 PM. The rubber match in Calgary is Sunday at 4:00 PM.