The roster shuffle has begun for the Edmonton Oilers in the wake of Zach Hyman’s return to the lineup.

With the winger set to return Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Oilers placed defenceman Troy Stecher on waivers and assigned winger Isaac Howard to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

Rumours have swirled about Troy Stecher being available in a trade early on this season, with the Oilers reportedly looking to find him a “soft landing” with another team. Stecher, 31, has appeared in six games in Edmonton this season, scoring no points but taking three shots on goal. With him on the ice at five-on-five, the Oilers have broken even in goals 2-2, controlling just 32.6 percent of the expected goal share.

Howard, 21, has drawn in for 17 games this season, scoring two goals and three points, finding himself healthy scratched twice. The rookie has struggled to find his way amid getting buried down the depth chart on the NHL team, averaging nine and a half minutes per game.

There’s been positives in Howard’s game at five-on-five from an individual perspective, as his 7.5 shots on goal lead all Oilers, while his 14.6 shot attempts per hour ranks first among forwards and his 7.9 scoring chances per hour rank second to only Connor McDavid. Despite the positive rates, a sign that Howard has likely been due some more ice-time, the Oilers have struggled with him on the ice at five-on-five, getting outscored 8-5, controlling 41.8 percent of the expected goal share and 38.9 percent of the high-danger scoring chance share. That’s likely what’s limited his ice-time this season.

Now, Howard will get the chance to play bigger minutes with the Condors, who have started the season 5-5-2, scoring 3.2 goals per game, the 12th best rate in the league. The Condors visit the San Diego Gulls Friday night, and host the Coachella Valley Firebirds Saturday.

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.