The Oilers announced that they’ve reassigned forward Matthew Savoie to AHL Bakersfield. The move was made to give them temporary salary cap flexibility, per the team’s Bob Stauffer, likely to activate center Adam Henrique from long-term injured reserve before their schedule resumes next week. Bakersfield has three games between now and Feb. 25, so Savoie will get a lengthy run-up before the team accumulates enough cap space to recall him again.
It certainly wouldn’t be a performance-based demotion for Savoie. The 22-year-old is the only one of Edmonton’s young guns who’s been able to carve out a consistent spot in their top nine this season. Even so, his production hasn’t been overwhelming. He’s posted nine goals and nine assists for 18 points through 58 games, tied for ninth on the team in scoring and on pace for 25 points on the year. For a player drafted with a top-10 pick who’s seen extensive time on a line with Leon Draisaitl, more production would be desirable.
Acquired from the Sabres in 2024, he’ll return to a familiar environment in Bakersfield, albeit for a few games. He had immense success there last season as a first-year pro, finishing second on the team in scoring with a 19-35–54 line in 66 games. For a few games, he’ll now get to link up with one of the AHL’s most dynamic duos this season in wingers Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson, both of whom are clicking at over a point per game.
Clearing Savoie’s $886,666 cap hit gives Edmonton the flexibility to reinstate Henrique before next Wednesday. He’s been out since early January with an undisclosed injury. At a cap hit of $3MM, the Oilers will be hoping for more production from the 36-year-old than the two goals and 10 points he’s given them in 43 games this season.