After an incredible Hobey Baker-winning season with Michigan State University in 2025 (26 goals and 52 points in 37 games) it was well known that Isaac Howard wanted to see some NHL action.

The Oilers went out and traded right-shot centre Sam O’Reilly for Howard in the 2025 off-season. Entering the 2025-2026 campaign, it was expected that the Oilers would give him an opportunity to see some NHL action, and they did. The former Spartan suited up in 29 regular-season games, scoring two goals and finishing with five points. Howard only averaged to play 10:19 a night, and early on, he was getting overwhelmed with the pressure and physicality of the top league.

The dynamic left-winger played in 17 games before being sent down to the AHL for the first time, and that is where his game started to click. Howard would be recalled in January when the Oilers were struggling with injuries and play in another 11 games throughout the month for the big club before returning to the Bakersfield Condors; Howard would play one final NHL regular season game in game 81 for the Oilers.

Now, let’s dig into the Oilers’ top prospect’s AHL season. After being sent down for the first time, Howard scored two goals and added five assists for seven points in his opening four games. The dangerous winger found his confidence and never looked back after that in the AHL. Howard played in 47 games, totalling 24 goals and 50 points. The “Ice Man” added to his resume by being named AHL Player of the Month for December and making the 2025-2026 AHL All-Rookie Team. After his season was over, the former Michigan State product was selected to play for the United States at the World Championships. In Howard’s eight games for Team USA, he scored three goals and added one assist.

This is why the Oilers made the trade — they are making a bet on Howard’s offensive game. If Howard can be a consistent 20-25 goal guy with 50-60 points, that is a massive win, especially considering the cheap rookie deal and being under team control for years. Now, is he going to put up 60 points next year? I don’t think so, but I do see the Wisconsin native having a season comparable to Matt Savoie’s first full NHL season. As the AHL season went on, I felt more and more comfortable with Howard’s scoring ability and how I believe it’s translatable. Watch the first couple of clips below.

The velocity and accuracy behind Howard’s shot are elite. In the first clip, the top prospect finds some space at the top of the zone and rips it past the Texas goaltender. But notice how Howard went over the pad and under the blocker, players always say that is the perfect spot to shoot, and it’s clear that the dynamic winger knows this. The second clip is another strength of Howard’s and it’s changing the shooting angle, whether its a drag shot or a quick stop up he is able to get it through and keep everyone guessing. The third clip is just showing off the potential of Howard’s one timer/shot, Oiler fans have seen Leon Draisaitl score from there since he made his debut.

One area of Howard’s game that I noted down as something that needed to be worked on was his playmaking ability. In the NHL early on, the young winger was struggling to pass under pressure, time his passes, and recognize lanes. Even in the AHL early on this issue was popping up, but it has become less of a worry of mine. Below are some playmaking clips showcasing that he has improved in this area of his game.

The shot-first winger put up 151 shots on the season (3.2 shots per game) and it’s hard for Howard to not see a shooting opportunity he doesn’t like. However, this season he continually looked off good shots for a great one and used his passing ability. The second clip is a great example of this.

Howard is in the middle of the ice, and he has the shot that can score from that area but knows where Josh Samanski is on the ice and doesn’t even need to look at him to lay a perfect pass for the one-timer goal. The other two clips are strong displays of Howard being able to see through players and make a play under pressure. Now it’s about doing it to NHL competition.

I think everybody and their dog has Isaac Howard pencilled into the Oilers’ opening day roster for the 2026-2027 season, what line he starts the season on will tell a lot. I believe he will have no issue with the forechecking aspects of the NHL game, and although I wouldn’t call the 22-year-old forward a shutdown winger, but Howard was very good defensively for the Condors this past season, and after a transition period in the NHL, I believe he will be more than fine. As I said earlier, I expect a statistical season like Matt Savoie’s first full NHL season, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Howard found a way to 20 goals. I also expect that whatever coach is hired will do the Matt Savoie development plan too, which is starting the rookie on a bottom-six line till he almost forces your hand to put him with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

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