As rookie camps are set to get started in the coming week and training camps shortly after, the 2025-26 National Hockey League (NHL) season is almost upon us. On Tuesday, the the NHL Network named their list of top 25 prospects across the entire league ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.
There was plenty of household names on the list, with 2025 NHL Draft First Overall pick, Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders slotted at No. 1 followed by Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, and San Jose Sharks forward Michael Misa rounding out the top three.
At 19th Overall, the NHL Network placed newly acquired Edmonton Oilers top prospect, Ike Howard with him being the only Oilers player included. Howard, 21, was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning with their first round pick in 2022 but was dealt to the Oilers this summer after refusing to commit to joining the Lightning.
This is a deserving recognition after Howard won the Hobey Baker award as the top collegiate hockey player across the entire NCAA last season. In 37 games with Michigan State University, he scored 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points. He finished the season with the highest scoring pace in the entire NCAA.
Shortly after being acquired by the Oilers, he inked a three-year entry-level contract and is set to turn pro this year, likely carving out a role with the big club alongside one of the club's superstar centres, Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Oilers prospect pool
We are currently highlighting the top 10 prospects for the Oilers ahead of the 2025-26 season here at Oil on Whyte and Howard is set to rank high, likely in one of the top two spots. He is very close in terms of his NHL projection to winger, Matt Savoie, who the Oilers acquired last summer from the Buffalo Sabres.
The Oilers have made many moves in recent years to try and restock the cupboards while navigating their current Stanley Cup contention window. The team has taken clear and recognized strides to upgrade the pool, while still staying competitive.
They have done this by targeting players who have found themselves on their respective team's trade blocks for a variety of reasons. They have also been able to sign undrafted free agents from both the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the NCAA, and Europe.
The team has been able to add names like; Josh Samanski, Viljami Marjala, Damien Carfagna, James Stefan, and others. The team has also added recent NHLPA rookie showcase attendee, Quinn Hutson, another NCAA standout player who found himself on plenty of NHL club's radars after highly productive seasons.
It remains to be seen how these moves will impact the team in future years, especially as they try to entice franchise cornerstone, McDavid to commit to the team long term. However, the early returns look quite promising.