Chicago Blackhawks prospect Samuel Savoie underwent successful surgery on his right femur, the team announced Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Savoie went for a big hit on the Wild’s Alex Goligoski in Saturday’s preseason game but missed and went legs-first into the boards. Savoie remained moving but left on a stretcher and gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he left the ice.
- The Blackhawks said in a statement they expect Savoie “to make a full recovery.”
- Chicago selected the 19-year-old with the No. 81 pick in the 2022 draft.
MEDICAL UPDATE: Forward Samuel Savoie will not return to tonight's game.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 1, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Where does Savoie fit into the Blackhawks’ plans?
Savoie wasn’t in the mix to make the team this season, but the Blackhawks have high hopes for the scrappy 2022 third-rounder and envision him becoming a fixture in the bottom six down the road. It’s become a cliché around the Blackhawks to anoint someone “the next Andrew Shaw” — both Ryan Hartman and Brandon Hagel earned that moniker, and they’re playing significant roles for the Wild and Lightning, respectively — but Savoie fit the bill with his mix of speed, scoring and agitation.
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In this preseason game alone, Savoie took a few runs at Wild players. The plan was for him to return to the QMJHL this season (he had 26 goals and 33 assists in 60 games with Gatineau last season) and perhaps contend for a roster spot in the next year or two. — Lazerus
What they’re saying
Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said there’s no update yet on Savoie, who is still getting evaluated (lower body injury) He was in a little bit of pain so we are hoping for the best.” Encouraged he was fist bumping guys on way off ice. “It was a good relief to see that.” https://t.co/wqJ0W7SZf0
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) October 1, 2023
“That’s tough. He’s a kid that even last year, I really, really like. Love the way he plays. Just a happy-go-lucky guy,” Blackhawks center Tyler Johnson said. “Anytime you see something like that it’s pretty gruesome. You never wish that on anybody. Luckily, when he was moving there, he seemed to be in better spirits. Hopefully he’s alright.”
“He’s a very gregarious young man and well-liked,” coach Luke Richardson said of Savoie fist-bumping and talking with teammates on the way off the ice. “So it was good relief to see that.”
Required reading
(Photo: Bailey Hillesheim / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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