Oilers Would Be Smart to Target Lightning’s Isaac Howard

Now speaking of Howard, he is an offensive mastermind. He was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at 31st overall after an incredible season with the U.S. National U18 Team, where he scored 33 goals and added 49 assists for 82 points through 60 games. Last season with Michigan State University in the NCAA, Howard scored 26 goals and added 26 assists for 52 points through 37 games, and he won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top collegiate player.

His defensive game, like many young prospects, will need time to translate to the professional level, but it’s solid enough that he could work on it while perfecting his offensive style, and the rest of the tools he has make him ready for the NHL level right now.

Some fans have pushed back online and don’t want him because of the risk of an attitude issue. The main issue fans seem to have is that they’re worried he could be a problem off the ice and could be entitled, if he’s trying to choose where he plays rather than playing where he was drafted.

Of course, that could always be a risk, but it was also a risk with Evander Kane, who worked out extremely well during his tenure as an Oiler. Howard’s raw skill set cannot be ignored. He can find open space for himself and his teammates, he creates opportunities, and finds open ice, unlike many of his peers can do at the NCAA level. He has a great shot, skates well, and could probably be a valuable addition to the Oilers’ middle-six forward group, with a real shot at getting into the top six before the end of the season.

The Oilers should be willing to fork over a future first-round pick and a prospect to bring Howard in, and they should be aggressive in their pursuit of acquiring him if they’re truly interested. The Lightning lack leverage in this situation, but they could hold out and just take a compensatory second-round pick if Howard’s rights expire in 2026. If they wanted to get something better in return, it’s safe to assume the Oilers would be willing to trade some solid assets to bring Howard in, but time will tell what ends up happening.

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