Matt Savoie Poised for Breakout Season with Oilers’ Penalty Kill
Matt Seavoy poised for breakout season with Oilers penalty kill. The Edmonton Oilers are betting big on a hometown prospect to fill a championship sized gap. And it’s not without risk. Matt Seavoi, the 21-year-old forward from St. Albert, Alberta, isn’t just fighting for an NHL roster spot. He’s carrying the weight of solving Edmonton’s penalty killing void left by Connor Brown’s departure to New Jersey. Oilers coach Chris Knoblock explicitly stated the opportunity for Seavoi is on the penalty kill. While Seavoi showcased defensive brilliance in junior hockey, averaging 1.44 points per game across four WHL seasons, his NHL destiny now hinges on defensive reliability. But here’s where it gets controversial. Can a rookie truly anchor a critical role for a back-to-back Stanley Cup finalist? Seabo’s limited NHL exposure, just four games last season, contrasts sharply with the Oilers urgency to win now. His trade acquisition from Buffalo, which cost Ryan Mloud and prospect Tyler Tulio, underscores Edmonton’s gamble. Seavoy acknowledges the pressure, calling it motivation to push for a spot and be a big contributor. His AHL penalty killing prowess, 54 points in 66 games for Bakersfield, offers hope. Yet translating that to the NHL demands exponential growth. During Edmonton’s playoff run, Seavoy observed stars like Conor McDavid and Leandre Sadel as a black ace reserve. He noted, “You learn from watching how they prepare the little things that matter in high stakes moments.” This exposure fuels his ambition, but Knoblop cautions about integrating youth, holding young players accountable while granting opportunity is a fine line. Fellow newcomer Isaac Howard, the Hobie Baker winner, faces similar scrutiny. And this is the part most people miss. Seavoi isn’t just chasing a job. He’s embodying Edmonton’s gamble on internal growth over proven veterans. If he stumbles defensively, the Oilers championship window could narrow. But if he thrives, he becomes the hometown hero who solidified a contender’s weakest link. So, we turn to you. Is entrusting a rookie with such pivotal responsibility a master stroke or misstep for a cup hungry team? Share your take below. Let’s debate the stakes. Can Matt Seavoy score 40 points as an Oilers rookie? Full projection and NHL debut breakdown. Imagine a young hockey prodigy stepping up to the NHL stage, ready to make his mark. That’s exactly what’s happening with Edmonton Oilers prospect Matt Seabo, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. By Alan Mitchell, July 18th, 2025. The Edmonton Oilers have paved the way for their top prospect, winger Matt Seavoi, by clearing the roster of some veteran players. Last season, the team saw a combined 47 goals from Cory Perry, Victor Arvdson, and Connor Brown, all of whom have now been traded. This leaves Zack Hyman, the team’s primary right-winger, as the only returning veteran from last year’s roster. Unless the Oilers decide to bring in older players through August 35 plus contracts, the team is set to become younger on the wings compared to the 2024 to 25 season. For Seavoi, this is a golden opportunity for the Oilers management. It’s a calculated risk, especially since the team lacked young, affordable forwards in prominent roles last year. Seabo is known for his speed, skill, and versatility, which he demonstrated during his time with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL. Now, he stands a chance to play alongside superstar centers like Conor McDavid and Leandre Sadel, which could significantly boost his performance. So, what can we expect from Seavoi in terms of offensive production? To predict his potential, we can look at similar players who transitioned from the AHL to the NHL. Let’s dive into a few notable comparisons. Luke Evangelista. Luke Evangelista of the Nashville Predators shares several traits with Seaboi. Both are relatively small for their positions. Evangelista stands at 6 feet and 183 lb while Seavoi is 5’9 in and 179 lb. They both possess excellent puck handling skills and goalc scoring abilities. In their AHL rookie seasons at age 20, they posted similar statistics. Goals per game, Seavoy 0.29 versus Evangelista 0.18. Assists per game, Seavoi 0.53 versus Evangelista 0.65. Points per game, Seavoi 0.82 versus Evangelista 0.84. Shots per game, Seavoi 2.1 versus Evangelista 2. Seavoi has a slight edge in goal scoring, though he isn’t a high volume shooter. His accuracy and ability to score from close range could be beneficial for the Oilers. Evangelista, on the other hand, excelled in assists. The following season, Evangelista had a solid rookie year in the NHL, scoring 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 80 games, averaging just under 0.50 points per game. If Seavoy can match these numbers, Oilers fans will be thrilled. However, there are some differences to consider. Evangelista had 24 AHL games under his belt at age 20, giving him a better understanding of the league’s pace and physicality. Seavoi, in contrast, only played three AHL games. On the plus side, Seavoi is a superior skater, ranking in the 92nd percentile for top skating speed compared to Evangelista’s below 50th percentile. Additionally, Seavoi could benefit from playing alongside McDavid or Drece, which could significantly enhance his stats. Marco Rossi. Marco Rossy’s career trajectory offers another interesting comparison. While Rossi is a center, his AHL and NHL performances share similarities with Seabo. At age 20, Rossi averaged 0.84 84 points per game in the minors, improving to 0.96 points per game at 21. He then made the full-time jump to the NHL at age 22, where he has averaged 0.49 and 0.73 points per game in his first two seasons with the Minnesota Wild. Rossy’s speed is good, but not as impressive as Seavo. Both were drafted ninth in their respective years, with Rossi selected in 2020 and Seavoi in 2022. Rossi is generally considered to have more offensive firepower, but the comparison still provides valuable insights. Connor Geeki Connor Geeki’s journey is perhaps the closest match to Sabo. Both played in the WHL, AHL, and NHL at the same age, making for a compelling comparison. Here are their respective stats. 2021-22 WHL Seavoi 1.38 points per game versus Geeky 1.11 points per game. 2022-23 WHL Seavoi 1.53 points per game versus Geeky 1.17 points per game. 2023-24 WHL Savoi 2.09 points per game versus Geeky 1.8 8 points per game. 2024-25 AHL Savoi 0.82 points per game versus Geeky 0.83 points per game. 2024-25 NHL Seavoi 0.25 points per game in four games versus Geeki 0.27 points per game in four games. Seavoi was the more dominant junior player and both performed similarly in their AHL rookie seasons. However, Seavoi’s limited NHL experience, just four games, means his points per game ratio is less reliable. Still, the parallels between their careers are striking. Bottom line, Seavoi has a potential advantage over his comparables, particularly if he gets to play alongside McDavid or Dreadel. While there’s uncertainty about how he’ll fare at the NHL level, his brief NHL stint was promising and his AHL performance suggests he can handle the rigors of professional hockey. Based on these comparisons, it’s reasonable to project Seavoi as a 0.50 points per game player in the NHL next season. If he gets one of the superstar centers as a linemate or if he earns power play time, his numbers could be even higher. Given that NHL coaches tend to be cautious, projecting Seavoi for 60 games, 12 goals, and 30 points seems realistic. If he plays 80 games, 40 points is a fair estimate. The comparison with Connor Geeki is especially close, making it a strong indicator of what Seavoi might achieve. Photo Leila Develin/Getty Images. Alan Mitchell, a contributor to the athletics Oilers coverage, has been chronicling the team since 2005 on his blog, Low Tide. Follow Allen on Twitter at low tide. Oilers GM Stan Bowman on Matt Seabo poised to make a big impact next season. Ready to make a significant leap, Oilers GM’s bold remarks on potential McDavid winger. The general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, Stan Bowman, has made a striking declaration regarding 21-year-old forward Matt Seabo, stating that he is ready to make a significant leap in the upcoming season. As the Oilers prepare for the next season, there are still several gaps to address, particularly with the departures of Connor Brown and Cory Perry, who have signed with the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings, respectively, during free agency. The team is actively seeking a forward who can contribute to the penalty kill. There is some growth from within. I think Matt Seavoi is probably poised to take a big step next year. This statement clearly indicates that the Oilers are aiming to infuse youthful talent into a veteran lineup that has narrowly missed out on the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons. For Seavoi, the opportunity is ripe. He now needs to seize it. Having been traded from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Ryan Mloud and Tyler Tulio last summer, Seavoi now has a genuine chance to secure a position in Edmonton’s roster, provided he can demonstrate his readiness to contribute effectively on the penalty kill. Knoblock, another key figure in the organization, shares the belief that Seavoi can significantly aid the Oilers with his impressive reliability during even strength play. With Seavoi, the one thing that I’m very optimistic about is his penalty killing ability and how effective he was in Bakersfield in that role. Although he didn’t get any penalty kill time during his brief call up with us, we certainly recognized him as a dependable two-way player at five on five. Last season, Seavoi recorded 54 points in 66 games while playing in Bakersfield. But the emphasis is not solely on statistics. It’s about demonstrating responsibility and consistency on both sides of the ice. The opportunity for Seavo lies in the penalty kill. While he is certainly capable of contributing to the power play, I envision him playing a crucial role in our penalty killing unit. As Seabo heads into the upcoming training camp, it will be fascinating to observe how he competes for a full-time spot in the NHL lineup. Previously on House of Hockey Poll 18 hours ago, 159 answers. Ready to make a significant leap? Oilers GM’s bold remarks on potential McDavid winger. Do you believe Matt Seavoi will secure a full-time position on the Edmonton Oilers roster next season? Yes. No. But here’s where it gets controversial. Will Seavoi truly be able to step up and fill the void left by veteran players? or will the pressure of expectations hinder his performance? Share your thoughts in the comments.
00:00 – Matt Savoie Poised for Breakout Season with Oilers’ Penalty Kill
02:23 – Can Matt Savoie Score 40 Points as an Oilers Rookie? Full Projection & NHL Debut Breakdown
09:39 – Oilers GM Stan Bowman on Matt Savoie: Poised to Make a Big Impact Next Season
1. Matt Savoie Poised for Breakout Season with Oilers’ Penalty Kill
Join us as we dive into the promising career of Matt Savoie, the 21-year-old forward who’s on the brink of a breakthrough season with the Edmonton Oilers. Savoie’s strong performance in the penalty kill role for the Bakersfield Condors has caught the attention of Oilers’ coach Kris Knoblauch, who sees him as a key player in their special teams. With the departure of Connor Brown, Savoie is set to fill the void and inject youth into the veteran lineup. We’ll explore Savoie’s journey from being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres to his trade to Edmonton and his aspirations to contribute to the Oilers’ quest for the Stanley Cup.
Keywords: Matt Savoie, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, penalty kill, roster spot, breakout season, Oilers’ coach Kris Knoblauch, Connor Brown, Stanley Cup Final, youth infusion, Western Hockey League, NHL Draft, defensive zone, hometown hero, playoff experience, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Isaac Howard, Hobey Baker Award, growth from within.
2. Can Matt Savoie Score 40 Points as an Oilers Rookie? Full Projection & NHL Debut Breakdown
Edmonton Oilers prospect Matt Savoie is set for his best NHL opportunity yet after a strong AHL season. With veteran wingers moved out, Savoie could play a major role—possibly even alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. In this video, we break down Savoie’s scoring potential using real NHL comparables like Luke Evangelista, Marco Rossi, and Conor Geekie—players who made the jump from AHL to NHL at similar ages. We analyze Savoie’s AHL stats (21 goals, 59 points in 72 games across two seasons) and brief NHL experience, plus his elite skating and how playing with stars could boost his numbers. What’s a realistic point projection for Matt Savoie as an Oilers rookie in 2025-26? Could he hit 40 points with top-six minutes? Tune in for full analysis, expert insights, and a deep dive into Oilers’ line chemistry and rookie expectations.
Keywords: Matt Savoie, Edmonton Oilers, NHL rookie, NHL projections, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, AHL, prospect analysis, hockey stats, Edmonton Oilers prospects, 2025-26 NHL season
3. Oilers GM Stan Bowman on Matt Savoie: Poised to Make a Big Impact Next Season
Explore why Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman believes Matt Savoie is ready to take a major step forward in the 2025-26 NHL season. With key veterans leaving, Savoie is expected to play a vital role, especially on the penalty kill, complementing Connor McDavid and the Oilers’ core. Get insights on Savoie’s development, his defensive reliability, and how he could strengthen Edmonton’s lineup as they chase the Stanley Cup.
Keywords: Matt Savoie, Edmonton Oilers, Stan Bowman, NHL 2025-26, Connor McDavid, penalty kill, NHL prospects, NHL trade, hockey analysis, Stanley Cup contenders.
