Oilers' Matt Savoie headed to Bakersfield for AHL rehab stint, Babcock says

Matt Savoie will play four or five games with the Bakersfield affiliate before returning to Edmonton's lineup, Mike Babcock said. It is a rehab stint for a lower-body injury Savoie suffered this summer.

Savoie is expected back in the NHL in late November or early December, though that timing depends on his current injury status. Babcock made the remarks on Oilers Now, hosted by Bob Stauffer.

"Well, Savvy has got to the minors. He's got to play like four or five games and get going and feeling good about himself and then come back here," Babcock said. "He's a kid. He's got to feel good about himself before he's back here."

Babcock said the assignment suits Savoie because of his age. "If he wasn't a kid, you probably wouldn't do it. But he's a kid. Why wouldn't he go down there and be important, play 20 minutes a night?" He also said that when Savoie returns, he should be placed on a line and given a real role.

Last season Savoie worked up to the top line alongside Connor McDavid and put up 19 points in 24 games after the Olympic break, ranking as Edmonton's third most effective everyday winger behind Zach Hyman and Vasily Podkolzin. With him out, Leon Draisaitl has moved from centre to wing, and Hyman, Podkolzin, Kasperi Kapanen and Colton Dach are competing for the top-six spots.

Savoie was among the injured players named in the Oilers' season-opener report, alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Dickinson. Babcock also said Frederik Andersen is about a month and a half from playing.