Despite selecting forward Sam O`Reilly in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers have decided to move in a different direction.
The Oilers announced Tuesday night that they have acquired 21-year-old forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the trade, Edmonton sent O`Reilly, who was the 32nd overall selection in the 2024 draft, to Tampa Bay.
The 5-foot-11 Howard had a remarkable season in 2024-25 with Michigan State, registering 26 goals and 26 assists for a total of 52 points in 37 games. His outstanding performance earned the left-shot winger the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the top player in NCAA college hockey.
Accompanying the trade announcement, the Oilers also confirmed that Howard has agreed to terms on a three-year Entry Level Contract (ELC). The contract is set to commence with the 2025-26 NHL season.
Howard was originally drafted by the Lightning 31st overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The native of Hudson, Wisconsin, spent two productive seasons playing for the Michigan State Spartans, where he accumulated 88 points (34 goals, 54 assists) over 73 games.
In the spring of 2025, Howard represented the United States at the World Hockey Championship. He contributed one assist in four games played, helping Team USA secure a gold medal in the tournament.
On the other side of the trade, the 19-year-old O`Reilly skated in 62 regular-season games last season for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He recorded 28 goals and 71 points. O`Reilly continued his strong play in the OHL playoffs, contributing seven goals and 22 points in 17 games as the Knights won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions for the second consecutive year.
O`Reilly`s 22 points and his impressive plus-24 rating in the postseason both ranked third among all London skaters. He also played a significant role in the London Knights` Memorial Cup victory, the third in franchise history, tallying two goals and five points in five games during the tournament.
