The saga is over. The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded forward Isaac Howard to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Sam O'Reilly.
Howard and the Lightning have been dealing with a contract dispute since the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. The Hobey Baker Award winner was expected to sign his entry-level contract with the Lightning following his tremendous third season in college, but he refused to sign.
The 21-year-old's decision put the Lightning in a difficult situation as Howard would have been able to walk into free agency at the end of the 2025-26 season. Instead of losing him for free, the Lightning were able to make a deal to swap forwards with the Oilers.
A report from Frank Seravalli indicates the Oilers believe Howard is NHL-ready and is expected to be in there lineup on opening night after signing his entry-level contract.
The Lightning announced late Tuesday that they have acquired prospect Sam O’Reilly from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Isaac Howard. O’Reilly was originally drafted by the Oilers in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, 32nd overall.
The 19-year-old appeared in 62 games for the OHL’s London Knights last season, tallying 28 goals and 71 points with a plus-56 rating. He ranked fourth in goals, third in points, and second in plus/minus on the team.
O’Reilly went on to play 17 games in the OHL Playoffs, posting 7 goals, 22 points. After the playoffs, he helped lead the Knights to their third Memorial Cup title, having the primary assist on the championship-winning goal.
For the Lightning, Howard was once viewed as one of their top prospects. He was the Hobey Baker Award winner as the best player in college hockey and their only first-round pick in the past six years. Since drafting Howard in the first round in 2022, the Lightning invested in his development, and were hoping to lock down an equal return that would benefit both sides.
In April, Howard said on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast that he and the Lightning weren't seeing eye-to-eye.
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois confirmed at the end of the 2024-25 season that Howard was unlikely to sign with the organization. Last week after the NHL Draft, BriseBois said they had not yet reached a deal that could work for both sides. Howard wasn’t willing to play for the teams that could offer the Lightning what they felt was an adequate return, and the Lightning were fine waiting the situation out.
O’Reilly will join the Lightning signed to an entry-level deal through the 2027-28 season.
