Savoie showing tenacity to emerge as top 2022 NHL Draft prospect
Winnipeg center playing beyond 5-foot-9, 197-pound frame
Matt Savoie of Winnipeg in the Western Hockey League might be the fastest, most relentless skater of any player eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft.
His coach, retired NHL defenseman James Patrick, can attest to it.
"He's got to have fast-twitch fibers because he's so explosive," Patrick said. "His first five steps are very fast and then he's got really quick hands, a high-end shot and can make plays. He's real strong through his lower body, real thick legs. That's where his strength lies."
It's no surprise the 18-year-old center (5-foot-9, 179 pounds),
No. 3 in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings of North American skaters
eligible for the 2022 draft, is a big fan of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point and New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal.
"They are smaller, fast players, similar to me, and I like watching them, learning how they play away from the puck and how they play in the defensive zone," Savoie said. "I watch to see where they go to be open and available for pucks. I just like to see the little details, little habits that those pros use."
Savoie is first among rookies and 10th in the WHL with 65 points (23 goals, 42 assists) in 48 games this season. It can be traced to his performance for Dubuque of the United States Hockey League in 2020-21 when the WHL season was delayed and shortened due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
"With the unknown of the Western League last season, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to continue to develop in the USHL because they weren't really shut down and the restrictions were a little bit different," Savoie said. "I was guaranteed to play more than 30 games and I thought that was huge for me."
Savoie was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team after ranking second among rookies in goals (21) and fifth in points (38) in 34 games. He scored four game-winning goals, five power-play goals and two shorthanded goals and was fifth on Dubuque in shooting percentage (18.3 percent).
Patrick, selected by the New York Rangers with the No. 9 pick in the 1981 NHL Draft, played for the Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres in a 21-season NHL career that ended in 2003-04. He said Savoie, a right-handed shot, may have more success playing wing at the NHL level.
"I think his future will be a right wing in the NHL," Patrick said. "I mean, it's not written in stone. At our level he's good defensively and I can play him the last minute of games to protect the lead and he's totally fine out there. I just think at the NHL level, when you play some of the top teams and how big the centers are, that might be a factor. It's a different game now, but I really do see him as a top-six forward."
Savoie leads Winnipeg with 30 power-play points (11 goals, 19 assists) and is second with an average of 1.35 points per game.
"I know he skates well enough and if he had to go to the NHL right now, he's ready to keep up," Patrick said. "His pace is fast enough to keep up. But for any kids from our level, they have to improve on many areas to get up to the next level."
Savoie said it doesn't matter to him where he plays.
"Position wise, I've played both center and wing the last few years," he said, "so I'm comfortable in both positions and feel I'm pretty adaptable."
PROSPECTS ON THE RADAR (listed alphabetically):
Brennan Ali, C, Avon Old Farms (HIGH-CT): The 18-year-old left-handed shot (6-0, 193), No. 63 in Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, is expected to re-join Lincoln of the USHL on March 8. He is committed to the University of Notre Dame in 2022-23.
"He plays the game at very high pace and with an excellent compete level," David Gregory of Central Scouting said. "His skating is very good and he gets to top speed in just a couple strides. He uses this to beat players wide and be very effective when forechecking. He's physical at the right times, plays a 200-foot game and is the type of player who can play up and down your lineup at the pro level."
Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SWE):The Austria-born center plays for Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League and has scored seven points (five goals, two assists) in 36 games this season. Kasper (6-1, 183),
No. 7 in Central Scouting's midterm ranking of International skaters
, represented Austria in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, playing two games before the tournament was postponed because of COVID-19.
"He plays with a lot of energy and intensity, never stops skating," said Goran Stubb, director of NHL European Scouting. "He creates scoring chances with his active and competitive style of playing, has very good speed, is strong on his skates and likes to go for the net."
Jeremy Langlois, D, Cape Breton (QMJHL): Langlois (6-0, 186), No. 59 in Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, is second on Cape Breton with 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists) and 103 shots on goal, and first with 11 power-play assists in 37 games.
"He's a solid skater in all directions; smooth, agile on his edges and provides speed from the back end," Central Scouting's Jean-Francois Damphousse said. "Jeremy's got good offensive instincts and will support on rush plays and activate from the offensive blue line to generate scoring opportunities. He's confident with the puck on his stick and recognizes his options well with good passing skill."
Miroshnichenko out indefinitely
Ivan Miroshnichenko, No. 8 in Central Scouting's midterm ranking of International skaters, has taken a leave from his team to be treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer.
The 18-year-old forward (6-1, 185) is receiving treatment for the disease in Germany. His cancer is considered curable but there is no timetable for him to return to playing.
Miroshnichenko has scored 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 31 games with Omskie Krylia in the VHL, the second-highest professional league in Russia.
"Ivan is a very good skater, coordinated and an excellent stickhandler," Stubb said earlier this season. "He can create scoring chances with quick, surprising moves, shows excellent work ethic and never stops skating."
Photo credit: Zachary Peters, Winnipeg ICE
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