Matt Savoie's agent gives update on Edmonton Oilers contract talks
The Edmonton Oilers don’t appear to be in a hurry to lock up young forward Matt Savoie to a new contract.
After posting some decent results in his rookie season, there was some thought that the Oilers would try to get the jump on the 22-year-old Savoie. With the type of contracts being handed out to young players this summer, it seems like it would be smart to sign Savoie now rather than risk the threat of an offer sheet or a potentially higher cap hit if he is able to take a step this upcoming season.
It doesn’t sound like Edmonton is all too keen on doing that, however, as Savoie’s agent, Gerry Johansson, appeared on Tuesday’s edition of OilersNow with Bob Stauffer to give an update on contract talks.
“We haven’t [had contract talks] only because I think Edmonton is in a unique position where they’re sorta in a win-now mode,” Johansson told Stauffer. “Matt really likes it here, and we’d love for him to stay here; I know he would.
“Talking to [Oilers GM] Stan [Bowman], I think that will come… Edmonton is pretty focused on this year, so I think Matt is patient and really enjoys it here… I’m sure we’ll get down to that sooner rather than later.”
Savoie is entering the final year of his entry-level contract and currently holds a cheap $886,666 cap hit. That number will almost certainly go up by quite a bit on his next deal, especially if he can take another step forward.
It’s unclear where exactly the former 2022 ninth-overall pick will slot in the Oilers lineup this coming season. Savoie did spend some time on Edmonton’s top line next to Connor McDavid late last season, and there is a chance he could start the upcoming season in that same spot if he turns in an impressive training camp.
If he can improve on his rookie season and wind up around the 25-goal mark, the Oilers should be breaking down the door to get him signed before he becomes a restricted free agent. A potential comparable could be the six-year deal that Logan Stankoven signed with the Carolina Hurricanes last summer that carries a $6-million cap hit.
It’s a bit risky for the Oilers to let these contract talks linger too long, but it does sound like there is interest from both sides in making something work down the road.