Buffalo Sabres recall top prospect Matthew Savoie from AHL conditioning stint

One of Buffalo’s top young players is back with the big club.

The Sabres announced Monday morning that forward Matthew Savoie has been recalled from his conditioning stint with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, with Brandon Biro getting placed on injured reserve.

Drafted ninth overall in 2022, Savoie, 19, had the chance to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. But Savoie injured his shoulder during his first shift of the Sabres’ final game at the 2023 Buffalo Prospect Challenge back in September. Savoie was one of the top players for Buffalo at the showcase tournament, scoring twice against Montreal to open up the three-game slate.

The injury knocked him out of action until he made his AHL regular season debut with the Amerks on Oct. 25. In six games, Savoie looked solid with five points, showing the missed time didn’t slow him down.

Savoie is coming off of a career-best season with the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice, scoring 38 goals and 95 points, as well as another 29 points in the playoffs. He capped the year off with a two-game playoff run with the Americans.

Savoie is one of the top prospects in the Sabres’ system, alongside fellow Ice teammate Zach Benson and 2022-23 AHL standout Jiri Kulich. There’s still a good chance both Savoie and Benson – who is out with his own injury – could return to the WHL with the Wenatchee Wild before embarking on a run with Canada’s world junior team in December.

In Savoie’s case, it makes sense to give him a few NHL contests before his entry-level contract kicks in after 10 games played. Benson has two points in six games, so there’s still a bit of time before the Sabres will have to worry about keeping him up or sending the 18-year-old back to junior.