The Edmonton Oilers are making a bold move with their forward lines, placing rookie winger Matt Savoie on the top unit alongside superstars Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman.
Rookie Earns Prime Opportunity
This significant lineup decision was confirmed for the Oilers' game against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 15, 2025. The 20-year-old Savoie has apparently impressed the coaching staff enough to surpass veteran wingers Andrew Mangiapane and David Tomasek for the coveted position.
Mangiapane, an established NHL forward, has been slotted onto the third line with Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic. Meanwhile, Tomasak finds himself out of the lineup entirely, a clear indication of the team's current preference for the young prospect's skills.
Oilers' New Line Combinations
The complete forward lines show a reshuffled deck for Edmonton. The projected combinations are:
- Matt Savoie - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman
- Vasily Podkolzin - Leon Draisaitl - Jack Roslovic
- Andrew Mangiapane - Adam Henrique - Trent Frederic
- Mattias Janmark - John Philp - Curtis Lazar
The defensive pairings remain consistent with Mattias Ekholm partnered with Evan Bouchard on the top unit. The second pairing features Darnell Nurse with Jake Walman, while Brett Kulak and Alec Regula form the third defensive duo. Stuart Skinner gets the start in goal.
What This Means for the Oilers
This promotion represents a major vote of confidence in Savoie, who was recently seen in action during Edmonton's November 13th game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Placing a rookie on a line with the league's most dominant player in McDavid and a consistent scoring threat in Hyman suggests the Oilers see immediate offensive potential in the young winger.
While this is described as a "for now" situation, it signals that performance in practice and games is outweighing veteran experience in the team's current evaluations. How Savoie adapts to this high-pressure role could significantly impact the Oilers' offensive production moving forward.
