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

[OkimLom]

Don't get me wrong, I never said Benson was mishandled by the Sabres. His compete and IQ are so high for his age that another year in junior may have been more detrimental than productive, but I still feel some time in the AHL as an incremental step where he learned to dominate at that level before starting his full-time NHL journey would have been better for him, but since the CHL agreement takes that option off the table, choices are limited.

The question is, "would the player Benson will eventually turn into ultimately have been better off with some time in the AHL?" is strictly hypothetical, because it is not an option in reality. My gut tells me that his offensive would have hit a higher ceiling, but maybe his long-term two-way game was better served being exposed to the toughest competition on the planet at such a young age. There is no way to know, but the one thing I am certain of is that the CHL transfer agreement is a disservice to the players.

Don’t want to keep bringing up Benson and other prospects in the Savoie thread, but I look at it as the IQ and compete would be there at the end of the day no matter where he was. I would’ve used the 9 games sent him down to the WHL, work on other aspects he can control on his own (working on his strength, working on leadership qualities), not burn a year on his ELC, then bring him to the AHL with the same plan of action. Use him in call up situations if he’s earned them. Allow him to grow qualities that will benefit him when he’s at the NHL level and in a NHL locker room when he’s matured. There was no need to rush him.

 

[Chainshot]

Don’t want to keep bringing up Benson and other prospects in the Savoie thread, but I look at it as the IQ and compete would be there at the end of the day no matter where he was. I would’ve used the 9 games sent him down to the WHL, work on other aspects he can control on his own (working on his strength, working on leadership qualities), not burn a year on his ELC, then bring him to the AHL with the same plan of action. Use him in call up situations if he’s earned them. Allow him to grow qualities that will benefit him when he’s at the NHL level and in a NHL locker room when he’s matured. There was no need to rush him.

Benson showed he was ready and played like it. There is no singular path to advancement and he played his way into the job.

As for Savoie, he did what was asked of him and has only 9 games where he didn't pick up a point on the year across all of his games played (1 in Buffalo, only 1 in Rochester, 1 in Wanatchee, 1 pre-tournament with Canada, 3 U20 with Canada and 2 total with Moose Jaw split between a regular season game on 2/2 and a playoff game 5/2). He went to MJ, moved back to center and gave the Warriors an excellent 2nd line option at even strength, solid PKing and excellent contribution to their first PP unit. Him rocking out one of the best points/game for a guy his age in the last 20 years points to his growth.

That said, I tend to agree that going to the Amerks and working on his pro game isn't a bad thing. If he rips the door down in pre-season, that's a good problem to have.

 

[toddkaz]

Power absolutely would be in the minors, or at least spent the next two seasons in college.

Dahlin was already playing against men in a pro league (which to me would’ve been like the AHL, so there was some proof there.) I would sure as hell would’ve structured the roster so he wouldn’t need to play the minutes he did though.

Eichel and McDavid would be exceptions to my rule, but I think you already knew that.

And Bedard? So along with about 50 other players in the last 10 years.

Sounds like your rules are arbitrary to your feelings of a player.

 

[Yultron]

Moose Jaw is just simply not getting the goaltending at all and are now facing elimination tomorrow and must win , giving up 5 goals a game is not a recipe for success. Acquiring Savoie was a great move but they desperately need goaltending

 

[Archie Lee]

Moose Jaw is just simply not getting the goaltending at all and are now facing elimination tomorrow and must win , giving up 5 goals a game is not a recipe for success. Acquiring Savoie was a great move but they desperately need goaltending

They won the WHL championship with their goaltending, so I wouldn’t quite say it is/was desperately needed. The Mem Cup is a short round robin tournament that is a nice way to crown the CHL champion while not being a great determiner of the actual best team. Not debating that their goaltending hasn’t been good through 2 games, but that’s the reality of a short tourney. It goes quick and if you aren’t at the top of your game…

 

[Chainshot]

I've liked Savoie on that line more than either of Yager or Firkus in the MC so far. But he doesn't do what Rysavy did for that group and they are having some issues with getting the puck back which is hurting them.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

They won the WHL championship with their goaltending, so I wouldn’t quite say it is/was desperately needed. The Mem Cup is a short round robin tournament that is a nice way to crown the CHL champion while not being a great determiner of the actual best team. Not debating that their goaltending hasn’t been good through 2 games, but that’s the reality of a short tourney. It goes quick and if you aren’t at the top of your game…

has nothing to do with anything in this thread, and i havent watched enough of this to claim this is true about the memorial cup teams, but I was reading some articles about the NHL playoffs today and people going off on this or that and I couldnt help thinking that these teams made it to the final 8 teams and were eliminated in 7 games with multiple ot decisions, are we really drawing conclusions that something must change when a team was literally a bounce away from flipping the discussion

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I've liked Savoie on that line more than either of Yager or Firkus in the MC so far. But he doesn't do what Rysavy did for that group and they are having some issues with getting the puck back which is hurting them.

I have seen Yager a little bit and always liked him. I was excited to get a good look at Firkus for the first time in these games, and... I have not been impressed, to say the least. So careless with the puck. Very frustrating to watch.

Savoie has been the best player on that line for sure, but I do wonder if he's been sick. I've noticed him really laboring at the end of shifts and struggling to breathe on the bench. Could be wrong, but maybe that team has a bug going around, contributing to the performances.

 

[Chainshot]

Crashes into the end boards awkwardly, looks to be in pain on the bench.

 

[Chainshot]

Back and made a nice rush off LW for a quality chance.

 

[Chainshot]

Another opportunity off LW. I'm still waiting for Yager or Firkus to look like themselves. All three look a little gassed.

 

[Reddawg]

He deserved to be on the team and worked his ass off. Sure it would have been nice to have him get stronger with play over seas or AHL (not possible) but going back to junior would not have been the right thing to do.

I still feel like the AHL argument could have been successfully made for Matt if the Sabres had made the effort. He's four days older than Shane Wright who played nearly a full AHL season in 23-24 on a special exemption. Between 2019-2023 Matt Savoie played 149 WHL games and Shane Wright played 141 OHL games. Older and played more games in the CHL during the same three-year timeframe.

Whatever difference existed between them was a semantic one that could have been argued and won if the Sabres had tried the way Seattle obviously tried and succeeded with Wright in getting him a NHL-CHL transfer agreement exemption.

And ultimately, it's fine...he went to the WHL with a smile on his face and worked his ass off delivering his team a WHL Championship. That pedigree and experience will serve him well. Would have been nice to see if he could have been the key to a Calder Cup for Rochester but maybe we'll see that show in 24-25.

 

[Chainshot]

There is - and this may be a surprise to some - an entire thread for Zach Benson.

Prospect Info: - Zach Benson, LW/C, Wenatchee (WHL), Signed ELC- 2023, 13th Overall

Zach Benson! Competitive, high-skill, just doesn't quit... yes please.

forums.hfboards.com

 

[TageGod]

I still feel like the AHL argument could have been successfully made for Matt if the Sabres had made the effort. He's four days older than Shane Wright who played nearly a full AHL season in 23-24 on a special exemption. Between 2019-2023 Matt Savoie played 149 WHL games and Shane Wright played 141 OHL games. Older and played more games in the CHL during the same three-year timeframe.

Whatever difference existed between them was a semantic one that could have been argued and won if the Sabres had tried the way Seattle obviously tried and succeeded with Wright in getting him a NHL-CHL transfer agreement exemption.

And ultimately, it's fine...he went to the WHL with a smile on his face and worked his ass off delivering his team a WHL Championship. That pedigree and experience will serve him well. Would have been nice to see if he could have been the key to a Calder Cup for Rochester but maybe we'll see that show in 24-25.

Agreements exist for a reason. The WHL has to protect its own league they will not budge on that or it sets precedent.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[HOOats]

Innocent lad on the left hadn't even heard of an n95 yet. Excited to finally bust him out of that freaking league for good in a few days.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[KeyserSoze81]

If we age project him out an additional 5 years in the soul sucking Sabres organization, I think he will just be a skeleton in a hockey jersey, albeit with some killer flow.

 

[Matt Ress]

If we age project him out an additional 5 years in the soul sucking Sabres organization, I think he will just be a skeleton in a hockey jersey, albeit with some killer flow.

We'll all be yelling "hey you guys" at him in 5 years

 

[TageGod]

He turned into a true rink rat, no tan after that first picture.

 

[jc17]

If we age project him out an additional 5 years in the soul sucking Sabres organization, I think he will just be a skeleton in a hockey jersey, albeit with some killer flow.

OP needs to help him along. Honestly looks like flow regressed compared to years 2 and 3

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Goodbye my sweet boy. Best of luck in Edmonton.

 

[MrCreamm]

Any insight into him of recent? Haven't watched him since WJC where he didn't impress like he needed to. Don't have the greatest idea on his ceiling but I've heard some saying triggerman who could score 20-30 at his peak on the wing? He's not anywhere near the dynamic prospect he was being seen as pre 2022 draft.

edit: oops this is the buffalo thread.

 

[Chainshot]

Any insight into him of recent? Haven't watched him since WJC where he didn't impress like he needed to. Don't have the greatest idea on his ceiling but I've heard some saying triggerman who could score 20-30 at his peak on the wing? He's not anywhere near the dynamic prospect he was being seen as pre 2022 draft.

Oiler fans might have a better take on what he is doing on their farm team right now than folks here.

 

[Fjordy]

25GP - 15 points (7+8) in AHL.