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Is Matt Savoie poised to join the Buffalo Sabres in 2023-24?

By Sion Fawkes

WINNIPEG, CANADA - FEBRUARY 08: Matthew Savoie #93 of the Winnipeg ICE skates during first period action against the Calgary Hitmen at Wayne Fleming Arena on February 08, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, CANADA - FEBRUARY 08: Matthew Savoie #93 of the Winnipeg ICE skates during first period action against the Calgary Hitmen at Wayne Fleming Arena on February 08, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images) /
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Ninth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft Matt Savoie has enjoyed a dominant campaign. Is it enough to land him a spot on the Buffalo Sabres next season?

It seems as though Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has gotten better over the past season as a member of the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL. Last year, Savoie dropped to ninth overall in the NHL Draft, and the Blue and Gold had no problem snagging him after a 90-point season that included 35 goals and 55 assists. Oh, and that plus-minus of 54 was also pretty impressive.

Of course, expectations were higher in 2022-23, and Savoie didn’t disappoint, putting up 95 points, 38 goals, and 57 assists in 62 contests, good for 1.53 points per game. By contrast, Savoie’s 90 in 65 last season warranted him 1.38 per contest.

And if that isn’t all, Savoie’s six goals in four playoff games so far should give any Sabres fan hope that he will become the next great forward in the Queen City. Overall, he’s totaled nine points in the 2023 WHL Playoffs, which should tell us all that he’s peaking at the right time.

Will Matt Savoie play for the Buffalo Sabres next season?

While the Sabres should be a better, more experienced team in 2023-24, they may ironically get younger. Players like Craig Anderson and Vinnie Hinostroza are on their way out, while Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons also may not return.

Victor Olofsson has been arguably the Sabres most disappointing player of the season, and if the Sabres don’t find a way to move him, he could be in danger of losing his roster spot to an upstart player like Savoie. That said, there are plenty of chances for Savoie to step in and take over for either a departing player, or someone like Olofsson.

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Along with Savoie, look for Brandon Biro, Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, and perhaps even Brett Murray to compete for roster spots next year, assuming general manager Kevyn Adams decides against signing a forward in the offseason. Biro is already signed through 2023-24, while Rousek and Murray will be restricted free agents.

(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)

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