Buffalo Sabres’ Matthew Savoie to miss start of training camp with upper-body injury

After playing just one shift in the final game of the Buffalo Prospect Showcase on Monday, Buffalo Sabres prospect coach Seth Appert has confirmed that forward Matthew Savoie will miss time with an upper-body injury.

Savoie fell near the Pittsburgh Penguins net just 15 seconds into the contest and crashed into the boards. Savoie left the ice holding his left shoulder and would not return.

Appert told reporters that Savoie will be reevaluated on Tuesday. NHL training camps open on Wednesday.

Drafted ninth overall in 2022, Savoie, 19, had the chance to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. 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 AHL’s Rochester Americans.

Savoie was one of the top players for Buffalo at the showcase tournament, scoring twice against Montreal to open up the three-game slate on Friday evening. The Sabres beat New Jersey on Saturday before falling 3-0 to Pittsburgh on Monday.

Savoie is one of the top prospects in the Sabres’ system, alongside fellow Ice teammate Zach Benson and 2022-23 AHL standout Jiri Kulich. Hopefully, any potential injury is short-term, and Savoie can challenge for a roster spot in a few weeks.