The Edmonton Oilers and Isaac Howard appear to be a match made in heaven.

With raises coming to Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard next season, the cap-strapped Oilers badly need players who can contribute on their entry-level contracts. Fresh off a Hobey Baker-winning, Big Ten title season with Michigan State University, the 21-year-old winger wants to jump right from college to the NHL.

The Tampa Bay Lightning selected the Hudson, Wisconsin native with the 31st overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft from the United States National Team Development Program. Howard has raised his stock as a prospect since being drafted and opted not to sign with the Lightning because he “didn’t see eye to eye” with the organization about his development.

The Oilers tried to acquire Howard from Tampa at the draft back in June, but the Lightning felt they could get a better return. Eventually, the two teams agreed to a deal that sent 2024 32nd overall pick Sam O’Reilly to Tampa in exchange for Howard.

After the trade was completed, Howard told reporters that he was grateful the Lightning were able to get a deal done with the Oilers because Edmonton offers the young winger an incredible opportunity.

Howard spent his freshman year at Minnesota-Duluth in 2022-23 before transferring to Michigan State for the 2023-24 season, and that’s where things really took off for the skilled winger. He broke out with 36 points in 36 games and played a key role in helping the Spartans capture their first-ever Big Ten conference title.

The momentum didn’t stop there. In 2024-25, Howard racked up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games, finishing fifth in NCAA scoring. Michigan State topped the Big Ten standings in the regular season, and Howard delivered again when it mattered most, burying the winner in double overtime to secure back-to-back conference championships.

The Oilers believe that Howard is ready for the NHL and the expectation is that he’ll be in the team’s lineup when they open the 2025-26 season in October.

With Corey Perry, Connor Brown, and Evander Kane joining new teams this summer and Jeff Skinner unlikely to return, there will be plenty of opportunities for new players on Edmonton’s top three forward lines. As of right now, Howard is pencilled in alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, though he’ll likely see time with Leon Draisaitl as well.

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