Fantasy Summary

Dynamic offensive weapon that can beat defenders in a variety of ways. Elite raw skill that should make him an impact offensive player at the NHL level.

Observations

January 2024 – Savoie missed the beginning of the 2023-2024 hockey season due to an upper-body injury sustained during the Buffalo Sabres’ September prospects tournament. After returning to full health, he began his season in Rochester and scored two goals as well as five points in six games. His hot start earned him a call-up to the NHL. He made his Buffalo Sabres debut on November 10, 2023. After the match, the Sabres reassigned Savoie to the WHL. With the newly-relocated Wenatchee Wild franchise, he tallied eleven goals and 24 points in eleven games before being traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors. With Moose Jaw, he has scored four goals and 13 points in six games, a torrid pace. Despite appearing at the 2024 World Juniors for Team Canada, his tournament was cut short during the round robin stage due to a lower-body injury. He scored one assist in four games during the event. Kevin Wong

May 2023 –  With 38 goals and 95 points in 62 games during the 2022-2023 WHL season, Savoie took a moderate step forward from his previous campaign with the Winnipeg Ice. His draft-plus-one season came with huge expectations, and while the speedy scoring center started his season slowly, his level of production rose as the year progressed. He finished seventh in WHL scoring and was second among Winnipeg players behind only Zach Benson. His game has also become more well-rounded. He was often one of his squad’s most important defensive forwards in 2022-2023. So far in this year’s WHL playoffs, he has 11 goals and 27 points in 14 games, which ranks him third among playoff scorers. Buffalo Sabres fans should be excited for his sophomore NHL training camp in September. Kevin Wong

July 2022 – Savoie has been selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

May 2022 – There is no disputing that Savoie had a fantastic season, finishing with 90 points in 65 games to lead all WHL draft eligibles in scoring. His production did slow down a touch during the stretch drive of the season and some scouts have raised questions about how his game will translate at the pro level but his raw skill is undeniable. Savoie was also in the midst of a strong playoff showing for Winnipeg before his season was effectively ended by a suspected upper-body injury, notching 12 points through 10 games. Touted as a potential top-5 pick early in the season, Savoie did all he could to fend off other draft eligibles vying for top billing but he still may end up sliding a bit, albeit through no real fault of his own. Nick Richard

December 2021 – Savoie has been an absolute force for Winnipeg in 2021-22, leading the WHL in scoring through the early part of the season and cementing himself as one of the very best prospects available in the 2022 draft class. He seems to have added an extra gear and his poise with the puck has landed him on the scoresheet, as well as the highlight reel, with regularity so far this season. Nick Richard

September 2021 – Like many young players, Matthew Savoie faced difficult and unusual circumstances in the 2020-21 season. After getting into 22 WHL games with Winnipeg the season prior, he began last season in the AJHL with the WHL schedule on hold. He scored three goals and three assists in just four games before making the jump to the USHL, joining the Dubuque Fighting Saints for the remainder of the season. Savoie got into 34 games with Dubuque, racking up an impressive 21 goals and 17 assists in the process, but appears set to return to Winnipeg for the 2021-22 campaign.

Savoie is an electrifying offensive talent who threatens the opposition in a variety of ways. He is a shifty player with great foot speed and strength on his edges, allowing him to maneuver through checks and avoid contact along the boards. His speed keeps opposing defenders on their heels when he attacks off the rush and he utilizes elite puck handling skills to beat opponents in one-on-one situations. His shot is a dangerous weapon that he releases with quickness and accuracy. He creates deception by seamlessly transitioning from a slick deke into a shot attempt and he has the ability to release his shot with power in full stride. Savoie has a great understanding of spacing in the offensive zone and does well to find soft areas – especially on the powerplay – to unleash his powerful one-timer. The Alberta native deceives opposing defenders in many of the same ways as a playmaker. He sees the ice well and identifies passing options early, often completing difficult one-touch passes with authority. Savoie makes a habit of funneling pucks to teammates in scoring areas and finding passing lanes through layers of coverage. If defenders give him time and space, he can beat goaltenders with his great shot. If they make an effort to take away his shot, he has the ability to dangle around them and set up a teammate for a dangerous scoring chance. Savoie has all the tools to be an offensive star and should hear his name called early on draft day in 2022. Nick Richard

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