3 – Matt Savoie
For Matt Savoie, it’s going to be all about whether he is ready to take the next step and withstand the rigors of the NHL. He is undersized, and until the (very) near future, the highest level of hockey Savoie has competed in was the WHL.
But if Savoie proves himself in his inevitable debut in the Calder Cup Playoffs, has a good offseason, and a good camp, he could find himself snagging what will be at least one more open spot in the lineup, likely on the third line. If not, then Savoie could return to the WHL, but the likelier option would be for him to embark on the “Shane Wright Route.”
4- Isak Rosen
Production, production, and more production has been a hallmark of Isak Rosen’s game during the playoffs. But he needed time to get acclimated to the North American style of play, as expected, and he is still undersized.
Rosen’s ability to score from the circle on the power play indicates he may have found his niche in the game. Once he packs on more muscle, which will allow him to better withstand the physical side of what he will see in the NHL, he could find himself in the Buffalo Sabres lineup. That won’t happen in 2023-24, sans a cameo appearance or two.