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Oilers Acquire Hobey Baker Winner Isaac Howard in Prospect Swap

Edmonton signed the Hobey Baker Award winner to a three-year entry-level contract to fortify its forward depth under cap constraints.

FILE - Michigan State's Isaac Howard (22) in action against Cornell during the first round of the NCAA college hockey tournament, March 27, 2025, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Jul 7, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Isaac Howard after being selected as the number thirty-one overall pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Oilers traded 2024 first-round pick Sam O’Reilly to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for 21-year-old winger Isaac Howard.
  • Edmonton immediately signed Howard, the 2025 Hobey Baker Award recipient, to a three-year entry-level contract locking in his rights under team-friendly terms.
  • Howard’s 26 goals and 52 points at Michigan State last season earned him collegiate hockey’s top honor and prompted his move before he could become an unrestricted free agent.
  • Tampa Bay recouped value by acquiring O’Reilly, who recorded 28 goals and 71 points in 62 OHL games with the London Knights.
  • The swap highlights how NHL teams manage unsigned draft picks and use entry-level deals to align talent acquisition with competitive windows.