The Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O’Reilly & also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract!
In one of the most exciting offseason moves of the 2025 NHL calendar, the Edmonton Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending promising forward Sam O’Reilly the other way in a straight-up deal. Edmonton immediately signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract, cementing a bold commitment to youth, skill, and offensive depth as the team reshapes its core for the future.
Howard, the reigning 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner, is widely regarded as one of the most NHL-ready prospects in the world, and his acquisition marks a massive win for general manager Ken Holland and the Oilers’ front office. The deal came together quickly, but the implications will resonate for years.
- To Edmonton:
• Isaac Howard (F, 21, Hobey Baker winner)
• Negotiation rights to ELC signed immediately - To Tampa Bay:
• Sam O’Reilly (F, 19, Oilers’ 2023 third-round pick, London Knights)
The deal reflects a clear shift in team-building strategy for both franchises: Tampa offloads a player it was unlikely to sign long-term, and Edmonton brings in a high-upside talent on a team-friendly contract.
Who Is Isaac Howard?
Howard, a native of Hudson, Wisconsin, was originally drafted 31st overall by Tampa Bay in the 2022 NHL Draft. After transferring to Michigan State, he exploded for a career year in 2024–25, scoring 27 goals and 39 assists (66 points in 39 games) en route to winning the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s top honor.
He led Michigan State to the Frozen Four, served as team captain, and ranked first nationally in points per game. A high-speed winger with elite vision and deceptive shot mechanics, Howard’s style blends playmaking and competitiveness. He’s frequently compared to Trevor Zegras or a young Clayton Keller.
Now, the 21-year-old joins the NHL with buzz, pedigree, and a ton of upside.
The Oilers wasted no time locking Howard down, signing him to a three-year entry-level contract with a base salary of $925,000 per year and performance bonuses that could push the AAV to $1.1M.
“He’s exactly the type of player we want in our top nine—high motor, elite hockey IQ, and a winner,” said Oilers GM Ken Holland. “He’ll have every opportunity to compete for a roster spot this fall.”
Howard is expected to participate in rookie camp this month, join the main group for preseason, and make a strong push for an opening night roster spot.
While the Lightning held Howard’s rights and publicly expressed optimism about his future, sources say there was a disconnect between Howard’s camp and the Lightning’s vision for his role. With Tampa navigating a tight cap situation and reloading their bottom six, there was no clear fit—or timeline—for Howard’s integration.
They opted to move him now rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Meanwhile, Tampa receives Sam O’Reilly, a skilled two-way center who starred for the London Knights this past year and projects as a bottom-six NHL forward with leadership traits and faceoff acumen.
Skating: Quick first step, strong edgework, explosive in transition
Hockey IQ: Anticipates gaps, reads defenders, quick puck decisions
Shooting: Above-average wrister, elite off the rush, deceptive release
Playmaking: Strong vision, comfortable creating in traffic
Defensive Game: Competent and improving—high effort backchecker
Projected role: Middle-six winger, with power-play usage and occasional penalty kill minutes.
In Edmonton, Howard could be the perfect complement to players like Dylan Holloway, Leon Draisaitl, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, giving the Oilers a young scoring threat under cost control.
While training camp will determine Howard’s initial role, here are two realistic line projections:
Option 1 – Middle Six (Offensive Chemistry):
LW: Dylan Holloway
C: Leon Draisaitl
RW: Isaac Howard
Option 2 – Youth Injection (Protected Role):
LW: Warren Foegele
C: Ryan McLeod
RW: Isaac Howard
With Connor McDavid and Draisaitl in contract years, the Oilers are building a support system of skilled, hungry players ready to play now—and Howard fits that mold perfectly.
This deal isn’t just about 2025—it’s about what comes next. With McDavid and Draisaitl’s futures uncertain, Edmonton is investing in a new wave of contributors:
- Philip Broberg (D)
- Matvei Petrov (F)
- Xavier Bourgault (F)
- Beau Akey (D)
- Isaac Howard (F)
Howard immediately becomes one of the Oilers’ top five prospects and perhaps the most NHL-ready forward in their system. If he hits, the Oilers will have secured a potential 60-point winger for pennies on the dollar.
Craig Button (TSN):
“Isaac Howard is one of the most complete forwards coming out of college hockey in years. This is a major win for Edmonton.”
Chris Peters (FloHockey):
“He was miscast in Tampa’s depth chart. In Edmonton, he’ll have a real opportunity to show he’s an everyday top-nine guy—and maybe more.”
Emily Kaplan (ESPN):
“Quietly one of the best trades of the offseason. Low risk, high reward. Howard is NHL-ready and fits what the Oilers need.
O’Reilly was the OHL’s smartest two-way forward this season and captained Canada’s U18 team at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. While he lacks the flash of Howard, he plays a pro-ready game: responsible, coachable, and strong in the dots.
For Tampa, it’s a cost-effective way to add a role player to the pipeline—exactly what they’ve done to stay competitive under the cap for years.
Shortly after the deal, Howard posted on Instagram:
“Incredibly grateful for my time at Michigan State and to the Tampa Bay organization for drafting me. But I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter. Let’s go, Oil Country! 🔶🔷 #HereComeTheOilers”
He’s expected to arrive in Edmonton within the week.
Landing a Hobey Baker winner who is just 21, already matured physically, and ready to produce on an entry-level deal is rare in the modern NHL.
The Oilers didn’t just get a good player—they got the kind of player who can swing a playoff series, whether this season or next. He fills a critical gap: low-cost offensive skill.
Time will tell how Isaac Howard’s NHL story unfolds. But if his college track record is any indication, he’s just getting started.
And now, he’ll be doing it in blue and orange.
