In the long history of the NHL, stretching well over 100 years, the league has experienced dozens of massive shifts in roster strategy and construction. From the forward pass increasing the importance of offensive difference-makers to goalie masks and other safety standards that meant longevity for the best players, the NHL is constantly adapting to change.The latest change came in an off-ice maneuver by the Philadelphia Flyers. In signing Anaheim Ducks centre Leo Carlsson to a record-breaking offer sheet, Flyers management changed forever the nature of second contracts coming out of entry-level deals. Fans shouldn’t expect earth shattering offer sheets every summer (although San Jose Sharks franchise centre Macklin Celebrini would be eligible for one next season), but the impact of the Carlsson offer sheet will ripple down the canyons of NHL front offices forever.For Edmonton Oilers fans, the heart of the current roster is veteran in nature. Only one roster player stands to see his cap hit increase because of it, and the increase for Matt Savoie won’t be anything close to what we’re seeing with Carlsson. It would however behoove Oilers general manager Stan Bowman to sign Savoie early; in fact there is time in the weeks before the 2026-27 season to get it done.One year from now, Savoie will need a contract. If Savoie has a big year, that contract could be significant. Bowman can deliver cost certainty with an aggressive approach. Sign the man.Savoie’s offensive progressThe Oilers have been notorious over recent seasons for slow-playing young players. It cost the organization dearly (Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway lost to offer sheets) over recent seasons.In Savoie’s case, the Oilers brought him along slowly over the first three months of the 2025-26 season. He played 133 minutes at five-on-five in October, scoring zero points. In fact, over the first three months of the season, Savoie played 480 five-on-five minutes on depth lines. He posted a mere 0.75 points per game. Coach Kris Knoblauch played him mostly on the fourth line with plenty of penalty killing.After Jan. 1, Savoie moved up the depth chart, eventually landing on the top line with Connor McDavid. In 511 minutes after the new year, he delivered 2.23 points per 60 for the Oilers. Overall, his numbers look mid-pack, but when considering the last five years of Oilers rookie forwards getting the “slow-play” treatment, Savoie shines like a diamond.PlayerYearPoints-60Matt Savoie2025-261.51Ryan McLeod2021-221.29Dylan Holloway2022-231.2Ike Howard2025-261.06Tyler Benson2021-220.5All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat TrickSigning Savoie to an extension this summer is a good hedge against a breakout season. His second-half numbers are somewhat obscured by the first-half totals, where he was playing with depth linemates.Oilers overpaid for years by deploying mid-level wingers on McDavid’s line. Coaches were guilty of rewarding role players with McDavid ice time, and general managers were guilty of signing those middle-six wingers to overpriced contracts.