After signing him to an AHL tryout deal last month to allow him to finish off the year with AHL Bakersfield, it was only a matter of time before the Oilers worked out an entry-level contract with prospect winger Carter Savoie. As CapFriendly reports (Twitter link), that has now happened as the team has agreed to a three-year deal that begins this season. The pact carries a $925K AAV and does not contain any signing bonuses.
The 20-year-old was a fourth-round pick of Edmonton back in 2020 (100th overall) and it’s safe to say that he has outperformed that selection since then. Savoie was quite productive in his sophomore season with the University of Denver, finishing second on the Pioneers in scoring with 23 goals and 22 assists in just 39 games. After they won a national title, he decided to forego his remaining college eligibility and turned pro, getting into two games during the regular season but has yet to suit up in the playoffs.
Savoie has worked his way into being one of Edmonton’s more promising prospects over the last couple of years and while the Oilers will need some low-cost players to round out their roster next season, it’s unlikely that he will be able to make the jump right away on a full-time basis although the decision to start the deal this season makes him eligible to play in the playoffs now. Savoie has played in just a total of 65 games combined over the last two years so he’ll almost certainly need some time to adjust to the rigors of a full professional campaign. But if he continues to build on his performance this season, he’ll be worth waiting for.
Plan the parade!
Quiet please !!