It was only a matter of when, not if, the Wenatchee Wild moved Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie before the Western Hockey League trade deadline.
Contenders coveted Savoie, a junior star set to turn pro next season, as a rental player.
The Moose Jaw Warriors value Savoie, 20, so much that on Thursday they dealt the Wild seven draft picks, including two first-rounders, in exchange for the slick center.
The trade deadline is Wednesday.
Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, is expected to join Moose Jaw next week, according to the WHL website.
He recently played four games for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship, recording one assist. He suffered a lower-body and missed one contest but returned Tuesday for Canada’s 3-2 loss to Czechia in the quarterfinal.
Savoie performed dynamically in limited action with the Wild this season, scoring 11 goals and 24 points in 11 games. His 2.18 points per game leads the WHL.
He missed all of training camp in Buffalo this season after injuring his elbow and shoulder Sept. 19 during the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.
Following a six-game conditioning stint with the Rochester Americans – as a teenager, he’s too young to play regularly in the AHL – he made his NHL debut Nov. 10, skating just 3 minutes, 55 seconds.
The Sabres sent him to Wenatchee following the game.
