Savoie excited for 'dream' opportunity with hometown Oilers

It's safe to say Matt Savoie, who grew up about 30 minutes from Rogers Place, can't wait to get going with his hometown Edmonton Oilers.

"It's every young player's dream to come into an opportunity like this and play with really good players and get good opportunities," Savoie said Monday. "So, I'm just really determined, motivated, and ready to get after it here."

The Oilers - who came within one victory of winning the 2024 Stanley Cup - acquired the St. Albert, Alberta, native from the Buffalo Sabres on Friday in exchange for center Ryan McLeod and minor-league winger Tyler Tullio.

Savoie, who was picked No. 9 in 2022 by the Sabres, recorded 71 points in 34 games in the WHL last season. He added 10 goals and 14 assists in 19 playoff contests, helping the Moose Jaw Warriors reach the Memorial Cup.

"I feel like throughout my junior career and every team I've been on, we've had a chance to go all the way and make some really deep runs," he said. "It's a lot of fun. That's when you want to be playing is late in the year and fighting for championships, so there's no better spot I could've gone to compete for a championship."

Savoie, a dynamic 5-foot-10 forward, instantly becomes Edmonton's top prospect. He projects to start the season in the AHL but could push for an NHL job at some point in 2024-25.