We have now reached the top of the pipeline, and, to no one’s surprise, Isaac Howard is currently the Edmonton Oilers’ top prospect.

Howard is originally a Tampa Bay first-rounder, but the Oilers traded their 2024 first-rounder, Sam O’Reilly, to get the top American prospect. At every level, Howard has been a scorer. During his draft year in the 2021-22 season, Howard played in 87 games with the United States National Team Development Program, scoring 44 goals and finishing with 119 points. For the next three seasons, the left winger played college hockey. During Howard’s freshman season in 2022-23 for the University of Minnesota Duluth, he suited up in 35 games, scoring six goals and 17 points. Howard then transferred to Michigan State University for the 2023-24 season; this is when the “iceman” took a step and broke out offensively at the college level. Howard only scored eight goals, but added 28 assists, which is a 19-point jump from the previous season. The 2024-25 season is when Howard cemented himself as one of the top college players. The 5-11 winger scored 26 goals and finished with 52 points in 37 games. Howard went on to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top men’s ice hockey player in the NCAA.

Isaac Howard signed his entry-level deal after winning the Hobey Baker, and his journey continued with the Oilers’ organization for the 2025-26 season. The Oilers’ top prospect started with the big club, but was sent down to the Bakersfield Condors in November. Howard would play a few more NHL games throughout the year, but in his 29 NHL games, he scored two goals and added five points. However, in his 47 games with Bakersfield, the dynamic offensive forward scored 24 goals and 50 points. Howard would go on to be named to the AHL All-Rookie Team.

Howard comes as advertised offensively, but I want to start with his strong skating and work ethic. Skating has always been a strength of Howard’s since his draft day. But there were always concerns surrounding his off-puck game. Throughout the year, Howard has shown to take no shifts off.

I love Howard’s skating mechanics. Knees over his toes, great stride length, wide base, excellent use of his outside edges, great linear crossovers, and I like his first two steps. There isn’t much to not like about Howard’s skating ability. Not only can the 190-pound forward skate at a high level, but Howard is also able to read the pressure and avoid it. Below is another great example of Howard using his mobility to get in on the forecheck.

Howard’s skating not only propels his offensive game, but it also helps his off-puck game. I believe Howard’s mobility will be above average at the NHL level, and I think the few games he did have last season gave him a little taste of what to expect this year. A lot of Howard’s value lies in his shooting and goal-scoring ability, and it’s another excellent area of his game.

The shooting mechanics are excellent for Howard. It’s a hard, quick snap off his blade; the top hand pulls down, creating the flex and velocity behind his shot. Plus, the multitude of ways the top rookie can score has amazed me at times. That’s why I linked three completely different goals above. At the top level, it’s hard to be a goal-scorer if you only have a great shot, but if you mix in the shot with great timing, finding soft ice, and being quick with your release, you can find success at the NHL level. From the placement of his shots to the power behind them, I believe Howard has the potential to be a 30-goal scorer throughout his prime. I think the lack of power-play time can limit that, but I love everything about Howard’s goal-scoring ability, and I think it is projectable to the NHL.

Howard also got better as a playmaker throughout the season. I found there were times early on in the NHL when the timing of his passes and recognition of open lanes were fairly lacking compared to other players. I don’t find that to be the case one little bit now. The former Spartan is now a dual threat when he has the puck. More often than not, Howard will make the right decision when it comes to passing or shooting, and that can be hard for a player who has a shot like Howard’s.

Howard’s playmaking has come a long way since turning professional. Howard went from not recognizing lanes quickly enough to drawing in an extra defender and creating his own passing lanes. Whether the puck is on his forehand, backhand, under pressure or not, the 22-year-old prospect can make the pass. It’s not quite on the level of Viljami Marjala in the creativity sense, but it’s not too far off. This was the main area of Howard’s game that I was afraid of not developing enough. If you struggle with timing and recognizing passing lanes, you will most likely turn the puck over more than you should.

Everybody and their grandma project Howard to make the starting lineup this fall, and add me to that list. I think Howard can offer the Oilers lineup what they have been missing: a one-shot distance scorer. The dynamic forward’s shot is legit, and it has the chance to beat goalies consistently. I wouldn’t be surprised if Howard was able to score 20 goals in his first full NHL season. If the power play goes through a dry spell, I would love to see the young sniper get an opportunity with the man advantage. Howard has a top-six winger ceiling, but I think his floor is pretty safe due to his skating ability and improved off-puck play. If the Oilers go ahead and split up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, I believe that Howard could greatly benefit by being on one of their wings, but it also gives the superstar playmakers a legitimate goal-scoring threat beside them. I think if Howard has a season like Matt Savoie’s, you will be ecstatic, but I do think there is a chance Howard surprises with his goal-scoring and we see him cross that 20-goal plateau.

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