This Could Be a Breakout Season for the Oilers’ Matt Savoie – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

Something unique happened to Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Savoie at the end of the 2025-26 NHL season. Before the Feb. 6-24 Olympic break, Savoie was struggling to produce and only amassed nine goals and 18 points in 63 games. After NHL hockey resumed, he went on a tear and put up nine goals and 19 points in the final 24 games of the season. It wasn’t just the fact that the Oilers needed more secondary scoring to replace the injured Leon Draisaitl; it was also the fact that Savoie took it upon himself to rise up to the challenge of getting more top-six minutes. The surge in scoring for Savoie in the final quarter of last season undoubtedly gives the Oilers and their fans reason for optimism heading into 2026-27.

Savoie’s Talent Shone Down The Stretch in Edmonton Last Season

Expectations were high for Savoie going into his rookie 2025-26. I saw him as a player ready to compete for the Calder Trophy but unfortunately his first half of the season didn’t go as expected. When Savoie and his Oilers teammates returned from the Olympic break, he seemed like a different player. The time off obviously worked well as he put up three points in his first game back against the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 25 and finished with a hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks in the final game of the regular season on April 16. Savoie had definitely shown the talent that the Oilers knew he had when he was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forwards Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio in early July of 2024.

Expectations Are Higher for Savoie in 2026-27

The Oilers don’t really need Savoie to become a superstar. However, they will need him to improve from the 37 points he put up last season. If he continues to evolve and can score 20-25 goals and reach the 50-plus-point plateau on a line with Connor McDavid, he could have a major impact on Edmonton’s roster. The chemistry he developed with McDavid at the end of last season was undeniable. If Savoie can pick up where he left off, he should be due for a breakout season in 2026-27.

Motivated To Earn a Big Raise

Savoie is in his final season as a restricted free agent (RFA) and will undoubtedly be motivated to play well and earn a significant bump up from his current salary of $886,666 per season. Back on July 30, Savoie’s agent Gerry Johannson was a guest on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer and mentioned how much the St. Albert native likes being in Edmonton and would love to stay in the province’s capital.

If Savoie earns favour with new Oilers head coach Mike Babcock right out of training camp and ends up playing significant minutes with McDavid all season, you can expect him to earn a substantial raise. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman will undoubtedly try to lock the young forward up and avoid an offer sheet situation like the Oilers had with promising forward Dylan Holloway and defenceman Philip Broberg in the summer of 2024.

Versatility Key to Savoie’s Future

Savoie isn’t just an offensive prospect anymore. His skating and willingness to play a responsible defensive game give Edmonton options. Having spent time on the penalty kill last season will also work in Savoie’s favour. That could become especially important when the Oilers need flexibility in the lineup due to injury or players getting demoted under Babcock.

Savoie’s Strong Hockey Sense Will Serve Him Well

In NHL circles, you’re either born with good hockey sense, or you’re not. Savoie seems to be blessed with the intelligence that could make him a great player down the road. Considering the painful history the Oilers have had with young prospects such as Jesse Puljujärvi and Nail Yakupov, who showed flashes of brilliance but lacked high hockey IQ, the Oilers must do everything right to help Savoie succeed.

He has obviously demonstrated the ability to think the game at a high level and will no doubt continue to improve and succeed with the Oilers. How high is his ceiling? His intelligence, combined with his obvious talent, could help him surpass everyone’s expectations. That’s something the Oilers will surely benefit from this season and could for many seasons to come.