Oilers Prospect Leaves Organization, Signs with Division Rival Team

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Liam McCormick
October 12, 2024 (3:43 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers made a major splash this offseason when they traded for recent top 10 draft pick Matthew Savoie, but they also let his brother go this summer.

According to NHL insider Jim Matheson, former Oilers prospect Carter Savoie has signed a contract to move to the Los Angeles Kings AHL team.

The Oilers selected Carter Savoie, an Edmonton native, in the fourth round of the 202 draft. He had played a few seasons with the Bakersfield Condors, but didn't have much success and was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Oilers this summer. He played 63 games for the Condors last year, and only scored 10 goals and 22 points.

After the Oilers traded for Matthew Savoie, there were reports that Edmonton could circle back to sign Savoie to play with his brother in the AHL, and it's surprising to see it didn't come to fruition. The Edmonton Oilers laid just lost prospect Raphael Lavoie to the Vegas Golden Knights, and losing this many young players simply isn't ideal.

On the other hand, the Oilers got the better brother with Matthew. Drafted 9th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2022, Matthew Savoie has extremely high-end offensive upside that could explode if he develops in the Oilers top six. The Oilers will now control his rights for the next several years, so it will be intriguing to see how they work him into the lineup.

Carter Savoie is a long shot to make the NHL at the end of the day, but it still hurts to lose another homegrown prospect. Jeff Jackson and Stan Bowman will have a difficult task in the next few years to re-stock the cupboards with young players while still being a cup contending team.