On February 25, the Edmonton Oilers announced the recall of forward Matthew Savoie from their AHL affiliate, Bakersfield. This move was made possible as the team created enough salary cap space to activate center Adam Henrique from long-term injured reserve (LTIR), a change that had been anticipated for some time. Savoie appeared in one game for Bakersfield last Friday, recording an assist and three shots during a 5-4 overtime loss to the Calgary Wranglers.
Temporary Demotion for Cap Space Flexibility
Earlier on February 17, the Oilers reassigned Matthew Savoie to Bakersfield to manage cap limitations, according to team official Bob Stauffer. This step was intended to facilitate Henrique’s return from LTIR ahead of the Oilers’ upcoming schedule. With three games lined up for Bakersfield before February 25, Savoie was set to gain valuable ice time and prepare for a potential recall once cap space became available again.
Savoie’s Performance and Role on the Team
Although the reassignment was not due to performance issues, Savoie’s output this season has been modest. The 22-year-old forward remains the only young player on Edmonton’s roster to consistently hold a spot in the team’s top nine. Over 58 games, he has tallied nine goals and nine assists for 18 points, ranking ninth in team scoring and on pace for roughly 25 points this year. Considering his status as a top-10 draft pick and the amount of time he has played alongside star Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers likely expect greater offensive contributions.
Return to Bakersfield and AHL Success
After being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in 2024, Savoie is familiar with Bakersfield, where he enjoyed significant success last season. As a rookie professional, he finished second on the team in scoring with 19 goals and 35 assists, accumulating 54 points in 66 games. His current stint will allow him to play alongside some of the AHL’s most productive wingers this season—Iasac Howard and Quinn Hutson—both boasting point-per-game averages.
Cap Space Strategy to Reinstate Adam Henrique
Clearing Matthew Savoie’s $886,666 cap hit has provided Edmonton the flexibility needed to bring Henrique back to the roster. Henrique, sidelined since early January with an undisclosed injury, carries a $3 million cap hit. The Oilers are hoping the veteran center will increase his production beyond the two goals and 10 points he has recorded over 43 games this season.
Implications for the Oilers’ Season Moving Forward
The recall of Matthew Savoie signals the Oilers’ continued balancing act between maintaining cap compliance and maximizing on-ice performance. Savoie’s recall offers him a chance to cement his role while Henrique’s return could provide much-needed veteran presence to the team’s forward group. As Edmonton’s schedule ramps up, these roster adjustments will play a critical part in the team’s efforts to succeed in the remainder of the season.
The #Oilers have loaned forward Matt Savoie to the @Condors. pic.twitter.com/R0VAMfQhbE
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 17, 2026
This is being done purely for Cap purposes!
Matt Savoie will play at least one game for the @Condors in the American Hockey League.
He has had a solid season to date for the @EdmontonOilers https://t.co/yJNElY1LVP— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) February 17, 2026
