Savoie Likely To Make NHL Debut On Friday
Sabres 2022 top pick scored five points in AHL conditioning stint
© Micheline Veluvolu - Savoie Likely To Make NHL Debut On FridayIt has been nearly seven weeks since Buffalo Sabres prospect Matthew Savoie suffered an upper-body injury in the club’s rookie Tournament in mid-September, but based on the comments of Sabres head coach Don Granato on Thursday, it appears that the 2022 top pick will make his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
Savoie was recalled from an AHL conditioning stint earlier this week when forward Brandon Biro was placed on injured reserve. The 19-year-old skated alongside Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson with veteran forward Alex Tuch sitting out practice with an upper-body injury, but according to Granato, his status will likely not have an effect on whether Savoie gets into his first NHL game.
"We are leaning towards using (Savoie) and the possibility is (Friday at home)." Granato said. "Because of guys coming back and looking at veterans and question marks to answer (on Friday) morning to see how everybody feels, that decision won't be made till tomorrow."
In six games with the Amerks, Savoie had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and six penalty minutes.
"With how long it was since I played a meaningful game, it definitely took a game or two, but I tried to try my best to just jump both feet in,” Savoie said after his first practice. “I thought I did a good job with that, just attacking it the day I got there and found out some success."
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