Edmonton Oilers trade for reigning Hobey Baker winning prospect
The Edmonton Oilers’ quest to get younger got a big boost on Tuesday night.
With the offseason set to enter its annual lull in activity, the Oilers found a way to pull off a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Following a week of speculation, Edmonton found a way to acquire reigning Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard in exchange for prospect Sam O’Reilly.
The 21-year-old Howard scored 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State last season.
šØ TRADE ALERT šØ
The #Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O'Reilly. We have also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/k3UHkpv6Ik
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 9, 2025
Howard is one of the most interesting prospects in hockey right now and is still awaiting his NHL debut. Drafted 31st overall by the Lightning in 2022, the Wisconsin native’s stock has risen significantly over the past few seasons. He beat out notable players such as Zeev Buium and Ryan Leonard to be crowned the top NCAA player this past season.
While Tampa Bay would have liked to keep him, Howard’s camp indicated that the left-winger was not interested in signing with the Lightning. That won’t be an issue for the Oilers as the team announced that they had signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract after making the trade.
O’Reilly was trending well with the Oilers, having potted 71 points with a loaded London Knights team last season. Edmonton drafted him 32nd overall back in 2024, but his NHL potential was commonly seen as a productive bottom-sixer, rather than the potential impact player that Howard could be.
Howard’s timeline also fits much better with the Oilers. While O’Reilly was seen as a few years away from NHL time, Howard will have a chance to crack Edmonton’s roster out of training camp this fall.
Combine him with fellow top prospect Matthew Savoie, and the Oilers suddenly have two very intriguing (and young) top-nine options heading into the new season.