The Edmonton Oilers were running out of options. With most big-name free agents already signed and the 2025-26 season approaching fast, Edmonton needed to make something happen. Their goaltending search had hit dead ends, but sometimes the best moves come when you least expect them.
What Did the Oilers Get in Their Trade With Tampa Bay?
While the Oilers have been searching for help between the pipes, they also faced another problem up front. With Evander Kane now in Vancouver, Edmonton needed to fill that gap on the wing.
That’s when they pulled off a deal that caught everyone off guard. NHL insider Frank Seravalli broke the news on social media, revealing that Edmonton had acquired Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Seravalli mentioned, “#Oilers believe Isaac Howard is ready to enter #NHL immediately – signed out of @MSU_Hockey and be in Edmonton’s opening night lineup.”
The insider added more context to the deal: “Fascinating trade. Depending on who you trust, some scouts think O’Reilly is the better long-term prospect. Howard is NHL-ready now.”
#Oilers believe Isaac Howard is ready to enter #NHL immediately – signed out of @MSU_Hockey and be in Edmonton’s opening night lineup.
Fascinating trade. Depending on who you trust, some scouts think O’Reilly is the better long-term prospect. Howard is NHL ready now.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 9, 2025
Howard’s path to this moment wasn’t straightforward. Tampa Bay selected him 31st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, but instead of jumping straight to professional hockey, Howard chose the college route.
How Did Howard’s College Career Prepare Him for Edmonton?
The 21-year-old winger started his NCAA journey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he put up 17 points in 35 games. However, Howard decided to transfer to Michigan State, and that’s where his game really took off.
At Michigan State, Howard became a consistent scorer, tallying 26 goals and 26 assists across 37 regular-season games last season. Those numbers caught the attention of NHL scouts and showed he was ready to make the jump to professional hockey.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay received O’Reilly in return for Howard. The Lightning got a player with his own impressive resume. Edmonton had drafted O’Reilly 32nd overall in the first round just last year, but like Howard, he hasn’t made his NHL debut yet.
O’Reilly continued developing with the London Knights in the OHL, where he was part of back-to-back championship teams. His offensive production was remarkable, recording 127 points across 135 regular-season games, plus another 34 points during the playoffs.
The trade gives Tampa Bay a center with proven scoring ability, while Edmonton gets a winger they believe can step right into their lineup. The Oilers are hoping Howard will substitute well for the absence of Kane and provide the offensive depth they need.
However, this move also creates some financial constraints for Edmonton. They signed Howard to a three-year contract worth $2.85 million with an average annual value of $950,000. With this signing, the Oilers now have just $225,000 remaining in salary cap space.
That tight cap situation makes it nearly impossible for Edmonton to address their goaltending needs through trades or free agency. They’ll have to rely on Stuart Skinner as their primary option between the pipes, at least for now.
Still, Oilers fans have reason to be optimistic. The team found a solution for their forward depth, adding a player who appears ready to contribute immediately in their top six forward group.
