The Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t done with their offseasons yet. After each lost to the Florida Panthers on their solution to a second consecutive Stanley Cup, each teams made changes this offseason. But on Tuesday night, the Oilers and Lightning connected on a trade that sent Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard to Edmonton.
🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨
The #Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O’Reilly. We’ve got also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/k3UHkpv6Ik
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 9, 2025
Howard won the Hobey Baker Award as the highest player in men’s college hockey last 12 months. He scored 26 goals and added 26 assists in 37 games for the Michigan State Spartans, who were the number two seed within the NCAA tournament. Shortly after the season, Howard announced he can be returning to school, which surprised many. Then, it was reported that the 2 sides didn’t see eye-to-eye, which led to a trade.
The Lightning found a trade partner within the Edmonton Oilers, who’re desperately attempting to add depth to their roster. They traded Viktor Arvidsson away and let Corey Perry walk after rough Stanley Cup Final performances from each. Howard is an NHL-ready prospect, while Sam O’Reilly was drafted just last 12 months.
O’Reilly had an outstanding season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season. He scored 71 points in 62 regular-season games and followed it up with 22 points in 17 postseason games. Because the thirty first pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, he is just not expected to hitch an NHL roster for a couple of more years.
Why did the Oilers and Lightning make this trade?
The Oilers have been painfully near the Stanley Cup for 2 consecutive years. NHL insider Frank Seravalli explains how that played a component on this trade. “Oilers consider Isaac Howard is able to enter [the] NHL immediately – expected to sign, leave [Michigan State] and be in Edmonton’s opening night lineup. Fascinating trade. Depending on who you trust, some scouts think O’Reilly is the higher long-term prospect. Howard is NHL-ready now,” Seravalli reported.
The Oilers needed to enhance their depth, they usually did that by trading for Howard. But they paid a high price, giving up one in every of their top prospects. The Lightning were at an impasse with Howard, so turning him right into a prospect as a substitute of a pick keeps their window open.
Michigan State hockey fans have had a tricky few days. Presumptive 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna picked Penn State over the Spartans earlier within the week. Now, Howard is not going to be coming back in spite of everything.