The Edmonton Oilers are being advised to secure restricted free agent Matt Savoie to a contract extension well before he reaches free agency, as the threat of offer sheets escalates across the NHL following Philadelphia’s $90-million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks centre Leo Carlsson.
Offer-sheet frenzy raises stakes for Oilers
Philadelphia’s aggressive move on Carlsson, a 22-year-old centre, has sent shockwaves through the league. One veteran agent told the Edmonton Journal, “There’s blood in the water with the offer sheet. And there could easily be more coming.” The offer sheet, which would cost the Flyers four first-round draft picks if matched, has prompted teams to consider early extensions for their young stars to avoid similar threats.
Reports indicate that Anaheim defenceman Pavel Mintyukov could be the next target, while Columbus Blue Jackets are reportedly anxious about their No. 1 centre Adam Fantilli, who posted comparable statistics to Carlsson and was drafted one spot after him in 2023. The Detroit Red Wings, if they trade Dylan Larkin, might consider an offer sheet for Fantilli.
Savoie’s value to Edmonton
In Edmonton, attention has turned to 22-year-old winger Matt Savoie, who is two years into his three-year entry-level contract. Savoie recorded 37 points in his first full NHL season and is projected to reach 50 points in the upcoming campaign. The Oilers can extend him at any time before July 1, 2027, when he officially becomes a restricted free agent.
Savoie averaged 15 minutes of ice time per game last season, playing alongside Connor McDavid at times, and was a key penalty killer. McDavid praised Savoie’s development: “He grew up his whole life playing with the puck and playing to score, playing to get open. He’s as solid as anybody defensively, great on the PK, and he’s starting to figure out the offensive thing.”
Contract comparables and strategy
While Savoie’s current cap hit is $887,000, the Oilers are unlikely to offer an eight-year extension at $6 million AAV like the Carolina Hurricanes gave Logan Stankoven, another small forward. Stankoven had 38 points in 78 games before signing. A safer route might be a three-year deal at $4 million AAV, using Seattle Kraken forward Mackie Samoskevich as a comparable. Samoskevich, 23, signed for three years at $3.8 million AAV after posting 31- and 32-point seasons with the Florida Panthers.
The Oilers have precedent for early extensions: they signed Vasily Podkolzin last summer to a three-year deal worth $2.95 million AAV, tripling his previous $1 million salary. In hindsight, the team might have locked him in longer, with the salary cap rising.
Savoie’s production warrants longer term
Savoie ranked fifth among Oilers forwards in ice time last season and was the top forward on the penalty kill. Twenty-eight of his 37 points came at even strength, and he scored 18 goals—11 at even strength, two shorthanded, and five on the power play—despite playing only 68 total minutes on the power play over 82 games.
Given his production and versatility, the Oilers may benefit from offering Savoie a longer-term deal to fend off potential offer sheets next summer.
Free agency: Ingram still unsigned
Meanwhile, former Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram, who started in the playoffs for Edmonton, remains unsigned four days into free agency. Most NHL teams appear set in net, with the New Jersey Devils as a possible exception after trading Jacob Markstrom to Florida. New Jersey currently has veteran backup Jake Allen (turning 36 next month), AHL prospect Nico Daws (55 NHL games), and free-agent signee David Rittich, combining for a $3.9 million cap hit.
