Mike Babcock outlines unexpected and unfortunate detour in forward's return to Oilers
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Mike Babcock says Matt Savoie will play a few games with the minors once cleared, a step that adds a fresh wrinkle to the Edmonton Oilers' injury picture.
Matt Savoie will not step straight back into the Edmonton Oilers lineup once he is medically cleared.
According to a post from Bob Stauffer, head coach Mike Babcock indicated that Savoie, as a younger player, will first need a few games in the minors.
Where the recovery stands
Savoie was hurt during offseason training and missed training camp.
Edmonton placed him on long-term injured reserve in early October, and Babcock put his timeline at roughly seven weeks at that point, which pointed to mid-November.
Other projections since have targeted late November or early December. He has yet to play this season.
A cautionary report surfaced today.
The 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast said cartilage removed from his knee was worse than first believed, which could stretch the timeline.
The Oilers have not confirmed that, and the podcast has been unreliable at times, so treat it as unverified.
Babcock did not give a firm return date on Tuesday.
Why a minor-league stint makes sense
Savoie is 22 and coming off a breakout year, with 18 goals and 37 points in 82 games, including 19 points in 24 games after the Olympic break.
He also led Oilers forwards in shorthanded ice time.
A few games with the Bakersfield Condors would let him rebuild timing and conditioning without facing NHL pace on night one.
The trade-off is time. Even a clean medical green light would likely push his NHL return past the date attached to the injury, and Edmonton has already leaned on depth forwards such as Isaac Howard in his absence.
Until the Oilers announce a clearance, every date attached to Savoie is a projection, not a plan.
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