The Edmonton Oilers face a critical decision this offseason regarding young forward Matt Savoie, and the franchise must learn from a painful lesson from the summer of 2024. That year, the Oilers lost promising prospects Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway via offer sheets after the team prioritized signing veteran wingers Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. The result was a devastating blow that still resonates.
The 2024 Offer Sheet Catastrophe
In 2024, the Oilers' management, led by interim general manager Jeff Jackson, believed they had leverage in negotiations with restricted free agents Broberg and Holloway. Instead of securing them first, the team lavished contracts on Skinner and Arvidsson, citing the need for high-quality wingers alongside Leon Draisaitl. Holloway, who had performed adequately in the 2024 playoffs on a line with Draisaitl, was overlooked as a potential top-six option. The St. Louis Blues exploited Edmonton's salary cap vulnerability, offer sheeting both Broberg and Holloway, and the Oilers received minimal compensation for their lost talent. The trade-off—losing Holloway for one year of Jeff Skinner—remains a source of frustration for fans and analysts alike.
Matt Savoie's Emergence
Now, the Oilers face a similar situation with Matt Savoie. The 22-year-old winger showed significant growth in the second half of the 2025-26 season. In the first 41 games, he managed only seven goals and six assists, performing as a marginal NHL player. However, after being promoted to the top six, he recorded 11 goals and 13 assists in the next 41 games, with minimal power-play time. His two-way play improved from inconsistent to reliable at even strength. Despite this, trade rumors suggest the Oilers are seeking a top-six winger this summer, potentially overlooking Savoie's progress.
Current Roster Options
The Oilers already have two locked-in top-six wingers: Zach Hyman and Vasily Podkolzin. Additionally, they can re-sign free agents Jack Roslovic, who had a decent season in a sporadic top-six role, and Kasperi Kapanen, who performed well on the second line when healthy. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains a versatile option, possibly shifting to third-line center. This gives Edmonton at least five strong candidates for top-six positions, including Savoie. Repeating the 2024 mistake by undervaluing internal talent could prove costly.
Conclusion
Building a Stanley Cup-winning team under the salary cap requires knowing when to hold and when to fold. The Oilers must not count their money at the table again. Savoie deserves a legitimate chance to claim a top-six role, and the team should avoid overpaying for external options that could lead to another offer sheet disaster. The lesson from Holloway is clear: internal development and contract prioritization are essential for sustained success.
