The Sabers have missed the playoffs for the past 11 seasons, but it would take more to discourage youngster Matthew Savoie, freshly drafted from Buffalo.
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An air of youth wafts over the Sabers and Savoie, who was picked ninth overall earlier this month, is keen to be part of the adventure quickly. Despite his 18 years, he doesn’t hide his intentions to break through training next season.
“Most of my determination comes from myself,” said Savoie, quoted on the National League website, recalling he was denied exceptional player status a few years ago when he signed up in the league from the age of 15 Western Junior League wanted to develop further. I’m always a motivated person, I’ve always been committed. I’m taking it one step at a time and just trying to get better.”
A promising future
In Buffalo, the Sabers are already relying on several young players, starting with 22-year-old Sweden defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and full-back Owen Power.
The trade that sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights last November allowed the Sabers to add cancer to Peyton in particular. Other forwards under 25 include Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Asplund, Jack Quinn and Casey Mittelstadt. In addition to Savoie, the Sabers picked two other centers in the first round of the recent draft: Noah Ostlund (16th) and Jiri Kulich (28th). Of the three, Savoie seems to be the most promising at the moment.
“I always want to be at the games, I don’t want to take any time off. That’s the kind of person I am,” Savoie also said in the interview, which was published on the NHL website.
– In 2021-22, the Sabers compiled a 32-39-11 record and finished 11th in the Eastern Conference with 75 points overall.