Gary Bettman Caught Giving Expansion Team Preferential Treatment
Shane Wright was recently given an exemption to be able to play in the AHL this year if he doesn't make the Kraken's NHL roster. An exemption is required due to the agreement between the CHL and the NHL, which forces players to go back down to their Junior Clubs if they are of age and don't make their respective NHL Roster.
However, it seems like Gary Bettman and the NHL aren't applying this rule consistently, as the Buffalo Sabres won't be getting the same treatment.
Matt Savoie Exception Status
Matt Savoie is one of Buffalo's top prospects. After suffering a shoulder injury weeks after being drafted by the Sabres, Savoie was able to rehab and play in the WHL last year, before moving up to play with Rochester in the AHL for the playoffs.
There's no question that Savoie is dominant in the WHL. He managed to score 226 points between the regular season and playoffs the past two seasons with the Winnipeg Ice. He has been playing in the WHL since he was an emergency call-up in Midget.
It's not Wright
Savoie and Wright are essentially the same player, in terms of age and games played in Junior. Wright is four days younger than Savoie and has played 68 fewer junior games.
On the surface, it looks like Gary Bettman and the NHL are giving Shane Wright and their new expansion team a leg up by allowing Wright to develop in the AHL.
Do you think this is fair?
As seen on Buffalo News - "Sabres' Savoie unlikely to receive an exemption to start season in Rochester"
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 13 | 141 ANSWERS Gary Bettman Caught Giving Expansion Team Preferential Treatment Should Savoie be granted an exemption, on the basis that Wright did? | ||
| Yes | 123 | 87.2 % |
| No | 18 | 12.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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LIVE
APRIL 20, 2026
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Garnet Hathaway | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jake Sanderson | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Cozens | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Dickinson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Luke Glendening | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mark Jankowski | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kasperi Kapanen | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Porter Martone | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Logan Stankoven | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Oskar Back | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jackson Blake | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Sean Couturier | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Christian Dvorak | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||