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Sabres: Matt Savoie showed he’s ready to take the next step in AHL

By Sion Fawkes

Sep 25, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Matt Savoie (93) battles for the puck with Washington Capitals forward Brett Leason (49) and Capitals center Hendrix Lapierre (29) during the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Matt Savoie (93) battles for the puck with Washington Capitals forward Brett Leason (49) and Capitals center Hendrix Lapierre (29) during the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres have got to be impressed with Matt Savoie’s performance during his “reconditioning assignment” in Rochester.

If you’ve been following the AHL’s Rochester Americans lately, you probably caught Matt Savoie in his “reconditioning assignment.” And if you remember what he looked like during his two-game stint in the Calder Cup Playoffs earlier this year, chances are, you will have noticed just how far the 19-year-old has come in such a short amount of time.

We saw obvious flaws in Savoie’s game during the playoffs, but they are evaporating quickly during his brief time in the AHL. Through five games played with the Amerks this season, Savoie has five points, two goals, and three assists, showing us he’s more than ready to compete in the AHL full-time if it wasn’t for that NHL-CHL agreement providing a massive roadblock.

During last night’s 4-3 loss to the Utica Comets, Savoie put up a highlight-reel goal that tied the game at one during the first period. If you were instead watching the Flyers making quick work of the Sabres last night, you probably missed it, so check out the goal below:

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has shown us he’s ready for the next steps

With Savoie’s stint in Rochester ending, the Sabres have a decision to make: Do they send Savoie back to the WHL where he will likely dominate for the next six months, or do they find a way to keep him with the big club?

Buffalo recently called up Brandon Biro and Lukas Rousek, and since Biro is not waivers-exempt, it would be tough to send him back to Rochester and risk someone claiming him. Rousek is waivers-exempt, so he would likely be the first one sent back down should the Blue and Gold decide to keep Savoie around and get up to a nine-game stint out of him.

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Overall, Savoie deserves a chance, considering his overall growth from what we saw in the playoffs last season. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the Sabres make a transaction in keeping him around a little longer, strategically giving him ice time across those nine games, and scratching him when necessary.

(Statistics provided by theAHL.com)

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