Seattle Kraken Draft Profile: Matthew Savoie
Taking over
Watching Matthew Savoie take over the ice is electrifying. There’s a reason the scouts call him the best playmaker of this years draft. His energy on the ice is contagious; he is always on the move and making plays.
Savoie is a highly deceptive player, utilizing his speed and smooth puck handling to get around defenders. He takes full advantage of the space allotted to him and moves the puck with ease.
When Savoie jumps on the ice, he drives the pace. His incredible vision allows him to see the game several steps ahead of everyone else, and he will change speeds to fool defenders, setting up his teammates for the perfect pass.
The young center has been criticized for his pass-first mentality, but he has a lethal shot. He can pull the trigger and make his presence known if he feels like the moment is right. His shot has plenty of power, with his hard wristers being the most accurate.
Matthew Savoie has such a quick release and pin-point accuracy as he goes top shelf blocker side here. Seventh goal of the season for Savoie.#2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/ZzoOB6poe1
— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) November 11, 2021
While he struggles to accelerate every now and then, once he gets up to speed, Savoie is almost unstoppable. His clean edge work and outstanding agility make his skating look effortless, allowing for smooth and quick transitions.
Special teams are where he thrives. Savoie is a power-play specialist and generates many of his points on the man advantage. According to Hadi Kalakech (of Dobber Prospects), he mans the half-wall on the power play better than anyone in this class.
The game within the game
While skilled with the puck, he shows the same dedication when the puck is off his stick. He is always finding his way into shooting lanes, and his high IQ helped him analyze situations accurately. His tenacity is admirable for a player so young.
Savoie is the kind of player who carries his line but still manages to make his teammates look better in the process. Whether he plays at center or transitions to the wing in the NHL, he provides explosive offense in every situation. Adding more strength and another year or two of development to iron out his flaws will make him a major threat for years to come.