Buffalo Sabres are smart to keep Savoie around in camp

Matt Savoie said before the Prospects Challenge that he wanted to stick around the Buffalo Sabres for as long as possible. 

The Buffalo Sabres struck gold on at least two first round draft picks in Matt Savoie and Jiri Kulich. Both were among the best players at the 2022 Prospects Challenge, and Kulich shined as early as development camp. Although they had their rookie moments in the preseason, look for them to become regular members of the Sabres roster as early as next 2023-24.

Kulich will most likely to go Rochester, where he will spend an entire season developing and perhaps suit up for a Sabres game or two. Savoie, a member of the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice, will look to dominate the junior league this season, but not before he spends more time in Buffalo.

After watching Savoie play in the preseason, it’s clear he’s not quite ready to become a full-time member of the Sabres. But it’s also clear that he’s a good hockey player with the potential to become a great player with some tweaking and fine-tuning.

Good move from the Buffalo Sabres to keep Savoie around

One of the best at the 2022 Prospects Challenge, Savoie passed his first test. And predictably, like most rookies, he has seen some struggles against the few NHL regulars he faced, logging three giveaways and a plus-minus of (-2).

In practice, however, Savoie has been acclimating himself more to the speed the NHL demands, making plays that elevates those around him. Teammates like Kyle Okposo and Casey Mittelstadt developed sound chemistry with Savoie early, and it warranted them a chance to show off their talents a line combo against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Despite his so-so performances in the games, the Sabres are smart to get the rookie up to speed before they eventually reassign him back to the Ice. It will further give Savoie a better idea of which portions of his game he needs to work on before returning to Buffalo the following season, or perhaps even sooner?

Savoie wants to get some games in this year, and he can see up to nine without affecting his entry-level deal if the Buffalo Sabres are interested in bringing him on for a few contests. But if this team is competitive for a wild card berth, don’t expect Savoie in a Sabres uniform in 2022-23.

Overall, given the chemistry Savoie has shown with teammates and the fact he hasn’t struggled mightily in the preseason despite some flaws, the Sabres made a good decision to keep him longer than most of the other junior hockey prospects. He should see action in one more game, and it will give him an opportunity to show his overall growth from the Prospects Challenge to today.

Article Source: Matt Savoie using extra time with Sabres to become ‘best possible player’ by Lance Lysowski

Article Source: Camp Notebook | Savoie earning further evaluation with strong performance by Jourdon LaBarber