Reviewing Edmonton Oilers rosters cuts: Matt Savoie, Sam O' Reilly & others assigned to minor leagues

With the 2024-25 National Hockey League season just over a week away, all 32 clubs have begun the process of trimming down the rosters to get to the mandated limit. Players are being outright released or otherwise assigned to the minor leagues.

For the Edmonton Oilers, their roster cuts have included five names, per their official website:

• Seth Griffith (F) – released from professional tryout, will report to Bakersfield (AHL)
• Cam Dineen (D) – placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to Bakersfield (AHL)
• Connor Carrick (D) – placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to Bakersfield (AHL)
• Matt Savoie (F) – loaned to Bakersfield (AHL)
• Sam O’Reilly (F) – returned to London (OHL)

End of the line for Seth Griffith?

Griffith has appeared in 80 NHL games in stints with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers; he's tallied eight goals with 11 assists.

At 31 years of age, he'll continue his professional career in the American Hockey League and likely won't be getting a real opportunity in the NHL barring an injury to one of Edmonton's regular roster forwards.

Cam Dineen

Dineen was acquired by the Oilers at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline along with Nick Bjugstad from the Arizona Coyotes. They sent a 2023 third-round pick in prospect Michael Kesselring to the desert in return.

He has 34 games of NHL experience under his belt and has registered seven assists.

Connor Carrick

Carrick has the most NHL experience of any of the aforementioned names, having suited up in 242 career contests with the Washinton Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Boston Bruins.

Originally selected with the 137th overall pick by the Capitals in the 2012 NHL Draft, Carrick will likely go unclaimed on waivers and will continue his career in the AHL.

Matt Savoie

Taken with the ninth overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft, Savoie was traded to the Oilers during the 2024 offseason in the deal that sent Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio back to the Sabres.

He scored 19 goals with 28 assists in 23 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, and could be one of the first names called up to the Oilers this season in the event of an injury or trade.

Sam O'Reilly

Having just turned 18 years of age earlier this year, O'Reilly was selected with the last overall pick of the opening round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Oilers; he scored 20 goals with 36 assists last season for the London Knights of the OHL.