Bowman gives update on Edmonton Oilers contract talks with Savoie
The NHL’s cap landscape is rapidly changing, but the Edmonton Oilers don’t seem too concerned by that.
More than a few head-scratching contracts were signed across the league this week. Players with minimal NHL experience are suddenly inking long-term deals that carry hefty cap hits as teams try to lock down young talent more than ever.
Justin Sourdif of the Washington Capitals may have been the most shocking, as the 24-year-old forward inked an eight-year extension worth a combined $50.8 million ($6.35 AAV). That is after posting 15 goals and 35 points in his first full NHL season.
Fraser Minten signed a seven-year deal with a $7.2-million cap hit, while Ryan Leonard got an eight-year deal with a $10.5-million cap hit. Both were coming off their first full NHL seasons and put up less than 50 points.
The Oilers, while not bursting with young talent, will need to wade into this pool sooner rather than later, with 22-year-old Matt Savoie entering the final year of his entry-level contract this season. He posted 18 goals and 37 points over 82 games with the Oilers in his rookie season last year.
His price tag seems to be going up every day the Oilers opt to delay an extension, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue for GM Stan Bowman, who spoke on Savoie during Wednesday’s media availability.
“The landscape has definitely shifted,” Bowman said. “As far as his contract, I’m not going to comment on that, but I’m confident that that’s going to work itself out in time.
“In time, we’ll get to that, but we’re excited with Matt.”
"Talking to some of the players, I think they're ready & they're excited… I expect to see a better start from our team."
General Manager Stan Bowman spoke to the media as the #Oilers open Training Camp at @RogersPlace. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/mjFWzY1kx0
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 16, 2026
Savoie will not participate in training camp this month and is slated to miss the start of the season with an injury. There has been no concrete timeline set for his return to the lineup.
The St. Albert native is not in any real danger of leaving the Oilers, as he will be an RFA next summer as opposed to a UFA. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s an impossibility. Edmonton is still hurting from a pair of offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues a few offseasons back that led to both Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg being poached.
The same threat could possibly loom for Savoie if the Oilers allow this situation to drag into next summer.
Earlier in the offseason, a fair price for both sides could have been somewhere in the ballpark of a $6 million AAV on a six- or seven-year deal, something similar to what Logan Stankoven inked after posting a 14-goal, 38-point campaign in the summer of 2025.
Now, Savoie’s number has potentially gone way up in just a few months. He put up better numbers than Minten’s 35 points last season, but came in slightly behind Leonard’s 45 points. Does that mean Savoie could be looking for a long-term deal in the $7.5 to $9 million range?
The Oilers seem confident something will eventually get done with Savoie, but one can’t help but wonder what the price tag could have looked like if they got a jump on things in the summer.