Reason behind Sabres trading former first-rounder Matthew Savoie revealed

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Cooper Godin
July 6, 2024 (2:46 PM)

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The Buffalo Sabres shocked many in the hockey world on Friday by trading former first round pick Matthew Savoie to Edmonton and now we know what may have played into that decision.

In return for Savoie, the Sabres received forward Ryan McLeod, who will help shore up their bottom-six, as well as prospect Tyler Tullio, who has spent the last two seasons in the American Hockey League.

While on Sports 1440, Buffalo Sabres reporter Lance Lysowski was asked about the reasoning behind the team moving on from Matthew Savoie just two years after drafting him and it all came down to injuries.

Lysowski said that Savoie shoulder injuries have played into the Sabres deciding to move on from him. He missed all of training camp last season and the start of the year with an injury to his shoulder and after a six-game rehab stint in the AHL, along with his NHL debut in November, he was sent back to the Western Hockey League.

"He has been injured a lot. He's had shoulder injuries and I wonder if he didn't get hurt last year after his one NHL game, if he maybe they don't trade him," Lysowski said.

Even though he's been dealing with injury issues in the last couple of years, Savoie has still developed into one of the best players in the entire Canadian Hockey League and if his skills translate well to the NHL level in the years to come, will give the Oilers another lethal offensive weapon.

The Oilers are hoping that Savoie can stay healthy this summer and into training camp as it's expected that he'll compete for a spot on their opening night roster in October. If healthy, there's no doubt he'll be able to accomplish that.