Prospect Info: C/RW Matthew Savoie, 9th Overall, 2022 NHL Draft - Traded to Moose Jaw 1/4/24

[Der Jaeger]

I think he's closer than Kulich, yes. His playoffs and camp will go far in placing him next year but I wouldn't be surprised if he's ready.

I think both he an Kulich make the roster. Which is why I think the Sabres need to ditch the traditional line construct for a bit.

 

[Royal Thunder]

His pure skill and motor are top notch, hoping he can become what we wanted Mitts to be after the world juniors (I love the new version of Mitts so not a slight at him). Having a Marner-lite would be super fun.

 

[OkimLom]

He’s ready.

I really hope Sabres management doesn’t feel the same.

I think he’s got a bunch of areas that he needs to prove at the professional level that he’s ready for. We finally have a structure to the organization, in the forward ranks at least, where we can take the time to develop players until they are 100% ready instead of using the NHL for development only to see they may be 65% ready.

We can take our time. We don’t need to gift prospects NHL spots after one year in the AHL regardless of whether they are ready or not.

 

[CowbellConray]

If Savoie can be a 60 point top 6 two way threat, I’m ecstatic. His motor is great to watch and he fits the Sabres play style perfectly. Fast, puck control hockey

 

[Der Jaeger]

Savoie reminds me of Briere (the obvious comparison). I see a bit of LaFontaine’s game when I see him play. Explosive skater and a pure playmakers regardless of pass or shot, doing everything at high speed.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Savoie reminds me of Briere (the obvious comparison). I see a bit of LaFontaine’s game when I see him play. Explosive skater and a pure playmakers regardless of pass or shot, doing everything at high speed.

Briere was the name that everyone used pre-Draft. I'm glad he's continuing to warn that comparison

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Briere didn’t do much in the NHL until what his D+6?

 

[Dingo44]

I really hope Sabres management doesn’t feel the same.

I think he’s got a bunch of areas that he needs to prove at the professional level that he’s ready for. We finally have a structure to the organization, in the forward ranks at least, where we can take the time to develop players until they are 100% ready instead of using the NHL for development only to see they may be 65% ready.

We can take our time. We don’t need to gift prospects NHL spots after one year in the AHL regardless of whether they are ready or not.

If he could play in the AHL next season I'd 100% agree but it's either the NHL or juniors and he might be better trying to sink or swim for a year against NHL'ers ala Quinn and Peterka than dominate younger players in the WHL. He might - I'm sure they'll wait until after training camp to decide.

 

[Ehran]

If he could play in the AHL next season I'd 100% agree but it's either the NHL or juniors and he might be better trying to sink or swim for a year against NHL'ers ala Quinn and Peterka than dominate younger players in the WHL. He might - I'm sure they'll wait until after training camp to decide.

From what I understand, the Sabres can petition for an exception (due to the lost covid year) to get Savoie into the AHL. In my mind, that happening is the best possible solution at this point.

So of course it won't.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

From what I understand, the Sabres can petition for an exception (due to the lost covid year) to get Savoie into the AHL. In my mind, that happening is the best possible solution at this point.

So of course it won't.

I’d give that like a zeroty percent chance of being granted.

 

[RefsIdeas]

From what I understand, the Sabres can petition for an exception (due to the lost covid year) to get Savoie into the AHL. In my mind, that happening is the best possible solution at this point.

So of course it won't.

I think it’s been confirmed that it’s impossible, it’s either NHL or WHL for him next year, barring a Wright situation conditioning stint in the AHL

 

[OkimLom]

If Savoie can be a 60 point top 6 two way threat, I’m ecstatic. His motor is great to watch and he fits the Sabres play style perfectly. Fast, puck control hockey

Sabres are a puck control team? I mean sure transitionally they could be, but in the other areas of the ice/game, they are pretty bad in that regard.

If he could play in the AHL next season I'd 100% agree but it's either the NHL or juniors and he might be better trying to sink or swim for a year against NHL'ers ala Quinn and Peterka than dominate younger players in the WHL. He might - I'm sure they'll wait until after training camp to decide.

Like I said, don’t gift him a spot.

 

[Bendium]

I think both he an Kulich make the roster. Which is why I think the Sabres need to ditch the traditional line construct for a bit.

SO you want to shift MORE toward a team built to win the first half of the season and get caved during the playoff push?

His pure skill and motor are top notch, hoping he can become what we wanted Mitts to be after the world juniors (I love the new version of Mitts so not a slight at him). Having a Marner-lite would be super fun.

The faster we push him up the ladder skipping steps, the more likely Mitts he will become.

 

[Bendium]

If he could play in the AHL next season I'd 100% agree but it's either the NHL or juniors and he might be better trying to sink or swim for a year against NHL'ers ala Quinn and Peterka than dominate younger players in the WHL. He might - I'm sure they'll wait until after training camp to decide.

I may be in the minority here, but I still hold that the long-term development of Quinn, and especially JJP would have been better served with them both in the AHL this last year. We are accelerating development to fill needs, and it hurts development. I do not want to see Savoie in the NHL next season. If that means Juniors, so be it. AHL the season after, and then we see where we are at. But 2 years juniors, and 2 years AHL is not at all slowing down the development of an undersized forward. Its right on target to be pushing for a NHL spot in year 5.

 

[Ace]

I may be in the minority here, but I still hold that the long-term development of Quinn, and especially JJP would have been better served with them both in the AHL this last year. We are accelerating development to fill needs, and it hurts development. I do not want to see Savoie in the NHL next season. If that means Juniors, so be it. AHL the season after, and then we see where we are at. But 2 years juniors, and 2 years AHL is not at all slowing down the development of an undersized forward. Its right on target to be pushing for a NHL spot in year 5.

I don’t think you have enough respect for the level of talent Savoie is.

 

[Ace]

The reason people give to hold him back is that he’s small. No amount of time in the minors is going to teach him to be taller. In fact, his size already held him back from where he should have been drafted. I had him 4th on my board…and he was my second favorite forward prospect to Cooley.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm the farthest from someone who talks about jumping up (or over) a level. And I think he's really close to ready and wouldn't be surprised if he has a spot on the Sabres next year. I've watched most of his games since December and what he's doing now is very much pro game stuff - give and goes, center lane drives with and without the puck, using his burst to create ice for himself and others - and he's doing it while being the Ice best shutdown option. They're not using the Ostapchuk line for that, they're not using Geekie for that... they're using Savoie for it and he's chewing up his opposite number defensively almost every night.

 

[Ace]

The dumbest thing about next year is the number of ways Savoie not being allowed to play in the AHL is silly.

if he was born hours later…he’d be eligible.
they let him play a bunch of extra games but wouldn’t officially grant him exceptional status…or he’d be eligible.
im not sure what the Covid year does to it but I’m going to guess it didn’t help him either

 

[Der Jaeger]

SO you want to shift MORE toward a team built to win the first half of the season and get caved during the playoff push?


The faster we push him up the ladder skipping steps, the more likely Mitts he will become.

Adams should definitely hold back the most talented kids in the organization.

 

[truthbluth]

Philosophical arguments about proper development in the abstract are a waste of time. He’ll be in camp, along with a bunch of guys. If he’s ready, the coaches will know. What I feel confident in, is this staff, unlike previous regimes, won’t rush him if he isn’t ready, or sandbag him if he is. That’s why we don’t need to have hypothetical debates about the best way to develop prospects. Savoie, and how he plays, will have a say.

 

[Bendium]

The reason people give to hold him back is that he’s small. No amount of time in the minors is going to teach him to be taller. In fact, his size already held him back from where he should have been drafted. I had him 4th on my board…and he was my second favorite forward prospect to Cooley.

Its not JUST because he is small. Personally, I think they have brought up just about every prospect they have had int he last 12 years TOO fast. Its part of the loser mentality they have had, constantly looking for draft picks and prospects to rise up and magically save them instead of actually running a winning program with competant management and coaches.

The reason his size is brought up, is like it or not, it matters. Its hard enough making the jump early, even harder when your physically not able to really compete. A larger prospect like Cozens has a better chance at making the early jump simply because he was big enough not to get completely caved. The difference in size and physicality between juniors and the NHL is HUGE. (pun intended)

Its like MMA. There is a reason there is weight classes. You can take the most skilled fighter in his class, then put him up against an equally skilled guy with 20 more bls on him and instead of a fair fight you will see the smaller guy get caved. Thats not good for development.

 

[Bendium]

Adams should definitely hold back the most talented kids in the organization.

You're trying to make a joke, but the funny thing is your right. He absolutely needs to hold our prospects at lower developmental levels longer, until they are better developed and more NHL ready. In the meantime he needs to spend some assets, including cash on real NHL players to support the core that IS ready for the NHL.

 

[Chainshot]

Philosophical arguments about proper development in the abstract are a waste of time. He’ll be in camp, along with a bunch of guys. If he’s ready, the coaches will know. What I feel confident in, is this staff, unlike previous regimes, won’t rush him if he isn’t ready, or sandbag him if he is. That’s why we don’t need to have hypothetical debates about the best way to develop prospects. Savoie, and how he plays, will have a say.

Well said. He looks great and I expect him to have a shot in camp.

 

[Gras]

I think both he an Kulich make the roster. Which is why I think the Sabres need to ditch the traditional line construct for a bit.

I think they only start next season with 1 rookie on the roster, I'd only see 2 if Johnson signs and really impressed.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Running the Wright conditioning scam would be a good idea too.

A combination of that plus the 9 game look would help clarify the best course of action.