Heading into the 2025-26 NHL season, the Edmonton Oilers had multiple highly anticipated rookies in their opening lineup.
Players like European free agent signing David Tomasek, as well as two highly touted prospects who the Oilers acquired in separate trades. Matt Savoie, who was part of a trade during the 2024 off-season who was 21 years old and impressed with the Oilers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors in his first professional season.
In addition to Savoie, the Oilers made another trade to acquire another highly anticipated prospect during the 2025 off-season. Fresh off a Hobey Baker Award winning season in the NCAA, 21 year old Isaac Howard looked to make an impression as a top-nine offensive forward. Unfortunately, this season has not gone to plan as of yet with multiple AHL stints and having failed to hit his stride so far this year, scoring only two goals and three assists for five points in 28 games.
The #Oilers have recalled forward Isaac Howard from the @Condors. The first-year pro has scored 22 goals & 25 assists in 45 games with Bakersfield this season. pic.twitter.com/gywZGykSXV
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 12, 2026
Now, with only two games left and the playoffs set to begin in the next week, the Oilers announced they had recalled Howard from the Condors. Although likely just to fill in for injury, there should be a world where if Howard proves he is worthy, he can stick around
Could Howard make the playoff lineup?
Like I said, at this stage it seems unlikely that Howard would be afforded the opportunity to make the playoff lineup but it is not impossible. If he proves he can hang or if due to injury it becomes a necessity, the door should not be shut on Howard.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has been unwilling to give Howard a proper shot at points throughout the year but now should not be the time. The Oilers need depth scoring, they have all year and it is no secret to everybody except apparently the Oilers brain trust.
Howard has shown a willingness to improve, playing through an up-and-down season and he has been a good soldier through the multiple demotions. Apparently, he even asked to be put on the penalty kill to help diversify his game and make him more of an asset for the Oilers.
I hope Knoblauch gives Howard more than 6 minutes of ice time. Isaac went to Chaulk a few weeks back asking if he can be on the PK. He’s pretty committed to earning a spot on the Oilers.
— Karman Gill (@Kgill39) April 12, 2026
If this is true, there is no reason for the Oilers to artifically hold Howard back. He has shown that he can hang at just about every level up to this point and the NHL will hopefully be no different.
Before his latest demotion, Howard showed a lot of promise on a line with Savoie and Jack Roslovic. Him sticking around with the team gives the Oilers more versatility and allows them to deploy threatening lines outside of their loaded top six with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Assuming that the latter will be available but if not, there is even more reason to keep a player with an offensive touch.