Kris Knoblauch has been bringing Savoie along gradually in his first NHL season, deploying him in a bottom-six penalty-killing role, but that’s starting to change.

After a gradual improvement in his underlying numbers and flashes of high-end skill in limited minutes, the 21-year-old finally earned a chance to play with McDavid this week. He responded with his best two-game stretch of the season, recording three points and playing with a level of pace and confidence that elevated Edmonton’s top unit every time he touched the ice.

For a team starving for energy and offence at even strength, Savoie may have taken a real step toward locking down a permanent spot beside the Oilers’ captain.

Zach Hyman is set to return to Edmonton’s lineup this weekend. He will no doubt go right back to playing on McDavid’s wing, where he’s been stapled for the last few seasons. That means either Savoie or Mangiapane will need to move down the lineup to make room. Allowing Savoie to play on the top line for an extended run will do wonders for his development and give Edmonton their best chance to win.

At first glance, regularly skating a 21-year-old with 5 points in 19 games on the top line seems like a stretch. I would argue that doesn’t apply in this case. Firstly, Savoie is a smart hockey player, and he plays a responsible two-way game. Most young players require time to develop their defensive skills before coaches will trust them against top competition. For Savoie, this isn’t a worry.

From an offensive perspective, his point totals aren’t a cause for concern either. Playing bottom-six minutes on the Oilers as a young player has proven to be a challenge in terms of scoring points. Players like Adam Henrique, David Tomasek, and Curtis Lazar can play a role, but they aren’t exactly going to set Savoie up for a chance to succeed offensively.

Despite the limited opportunities, Savoie has started to drive play at 5-on-5. Here are his on-ice numbers in Edmonton’s last nine games with his ranks among Oiler forwards (minimum 50 minutes TOI):

In addition to the improved on-ice metrics, Savoie is generating shots from danger areas more than other forwards. He ranks first on the team in individual expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season.

Savoie possesses the speed, talent, and defensive instincts to succeed in the top six. With three points in his two games on the top line, he’s given the Oilers no reason to doubt his ability to hold his own. The next question for Edmonton will be how they respond to this development with their lineup now that they’re getting healthy.

With Hyman returning and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ return coming in the not-so-distant future, there will need to be some line-shuffling. Here’s what I would like to see eventually:

When they’re back at full strength, the Oilers will have enough capable wingers to utilize Nugent-Hopkins on the third line. That will be their best chance to get production from a bottom-six group that’s been shooting blanks all season.

Since 2022-23, McDavid and Hyman have outscored the opposition 180-107 together; they’re one of the NHL’s most lethal duos. From Savoie’s perspective, I can’t think of a better opportunity for a young, skilled forward than to join them. If you want a skilled player to develop, you play them with skill. Hyman and McDavid have plenty of it, and they possess the chemistry and experience to help Savoie improve over time.

Some don’t believe that playing prospects on the top line is beneficial, but I disagree entirely. As long as they can compete against top competition and perform at a high-enough level to contribute, it can be a wonderful experience for their development. They get more chances to score and increase their confidence while learning from the best.

The Oilers invested in Savoie to be their top-six winger of the future when they traded Ryan McLeod in 2024. He’s showing he belongs — and the future is now.