There were two names every Edmonton Oilers fan was paying attention to as the Oilers’ rookie game approached—Isaac “Ike” Howard and Matt Savoie. All rightfully so.
The two first-line wingers showed up to Rogers Place ready and able to prove that not only did they expect a roster spot this upcoming season, but they deserved one, too. While the Oilers’ rookie team lost 6-5—a much better outcome than the 6-2 score with 10 minutes left—to the Calgary Flames prospects, the two delivered on everything one would have expected. Speed on the part of Savoie, and the same savvy confidence that we’ve all come to expect from Howard.
“At the end of the day, it’s fun,” began the Hobie Baker award winner. “It’s a sweet opportunity I have. It’s not too stressful, actually.
“Just come in here with a good attitude, and have some fun.”
Naturally, Howard keeps things pretty light on top of scoring goals. If not for his on-ice chemistry with Savoie, one could leave his rookie game takeaways at that.
But of course, as captain and assistant captain for the game, how well the two players meshed together is a noteworthy topic, and one that will now undoubtedly raise questions about potential linemates during the 2025-26 season. We shall see.
When asked about how he has prepared for said upcoming season, Savoie replied with a promising yet very NHLer answer.
“Had a really good summer, training at Rogers here, so I didn’t miss a day,” began Savoie. “I feel like I’m bigger, stronger, quicker.
“My body feels like it’s in really good shape and ready to hit the ground running.”
After a two-goal night—one of the stick from Viljami Marjala and a penalty shot to make some momentum and keep it going—Savoies delivered on that promise.
It’s safe to say the two rookies are promising players on a predominantly matured Oilers roster; that said, there is one more name worth mentioning outside of the aforementioned duo.
Connor Clattenburg, a 6’2 forward who can only be described as ‘he does it all (mostly).’ Clattenburg was responsible for two fights, a goal of his own, and a refreshingly aggressive game, so to speak.
“He’s an electric factory out there every single shift,” commented Savoie on Clattenburg. “He’s touching guys, getting it on the four check, two fights, and he’s great in the locker room as well.
“So vocal, and such a good guy, so everyone feeds off his energy, and he brings a lot.”
And some not…
There was not much buzz in the way of defence on the Oilers prospect list heading into the rookie game, and potentially even less leaving.
Aside from Damien Carfagna and Beau Akey—if that—the defensive pairings listed on the Oilers game sheet were disconnected and disorganized, save for those last 10 minutes.
“I thought Carfagna and Akey made some great goal passes,” commented head coach for the rookie game, Collin Chalk, when asked for individual assessments. And for the six defencemen on the ice, that was about it.
Sometimes, no answer is answer enough.
