Matt Savoie enters an important season as his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, and he becomes an RFA. By this time next summer, his team will be talking with the Oilers about the first long-term contract of his NHL career, and recent deals around the league suggest the price of young forwards is climbing faster than it has in years
The salary cap is rising, and several players in similar stages of their careers have signed contracts that would have seemed crazy a few seasons ago. Ville Koivunen signed for $4 million for eight years with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Collin Graf signed for $4.25 million at three years with the San Jose Sharks, Cole Sillinger took took 4.624 for three years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jet Greaves signed for $5 million for three years with the Blue Jackets, and Jamie Drysdale took $6.5 million for four years with the Philideplphia Flyers.
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And those are the contracts under $10 million. Savoie has not produced at that level, so those contracts are not direct comparables to where he will sign. They are an illustration of where the market has moved for promising talent entering their early twenties. Teams are paying for the years ahead as much as production that’s already been produced, particularly when they believe the player is capable of becoming a fixture in the top six
Edmonton has held that belief since acquiring Savoie from Buffalo. His junior résumé has 263 points in 283 WHL games between Winnipeg and Moose Jaw. Buffalo drafted him ninth overall because of how well he could produce. The Oilers acquired a player they believed still had another level to reach, and his first full NHL season did little to discourage that
Savoie enters training camp as one of the candidates to skate alongside Leon Draisaitl, with Kasperi Kapanen also expected to compete for that role. As well as the potential to play on McDavid’s wing depending on how the lineup shakes out. A productive year beside one of the league’s best centres would raise his value
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That’s also why both parties might want to consider signing this summer. The Oilers could maybe get a better deal on the premise of saying “we know you have a bright future, but we can’t exactly pay you too large of a sum for things you haven’t done yet.” And Savoie might want to sign before all the money gets spent on McDavids next extension, if there even is one
There is another element unique to this negotiation. Savoie grew up in nearby St. Albert, played much of his minor hockey in the Edmonton area and still has family and close friends in the community. Hometown connections often become part of the discussion when players reach the point where they can choose where they want to spend the prime of their careers. Oilers fans have always embraced local players, and the possibility of seeing another Alberta product commit to the organization for much of his twenties would undoubtedly resonate with this community.
A contract in the range of eight years with an average annual value between $4 million and $5.5 million would compensate him well for what he has done for the organization and what he can do. That projection assumes Savoie secures a regular top-six role and continues to build on the progress he showed during his first full NHL season.Â
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