The Edmonton Oilers were reportedly in advanced discussions with the Tampa Bay Lightning to acquire the rights to Isaac Howard, the highly touted U.S. college hockey star. Howard, who recently won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in U.S. college hockey, was seemingly on his way to Edmonton, but the deal has unexpectedly stalled.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, many around the league believed the Oilers were on the verge of landing Howard. Even those close to the player reportedly anticipated him joining the Oilers. Seravalli mentioned that the Oilers were prepared to offer a late first-round pick in exchange for Howard's rights, but apparently, this wasn't enough for the Lightning.
The situation is further complicated by the ticking clock. Howard, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, has expressed his desire to return to Michigan State for another year. This decision puts pressure on Tampa Bay, as failing to sign him after the 2025-26 season would allow Howard to become a free agent in mid-August 2026, potentially signing with any NHL team. In that scenario, the Lightning would only receive a compensatory late second-round draft pick.
Tampa Bay's general manager, Julien BriseBois, had previously indicated in early May that signing Howard was unlikely. He stated that Howard values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him.
Howard's journey to becoming a top prospect has been marked by significant improvement. After a decent first season in U.S. college hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he scored 17 points in 35 games, his performance surged after transferring to Michigan State. In his sophomore year, he recorded 36 points in 36 games, followed by an impressive 52 points in 37 games, ultimately earning him the Hobey Baker Award.
Despite the stalled trade talks, the Oilers' interest in Howard highlights their commitment to adding promising talent to their roster. While the deal may be on hold for now, the possibility of it being resurrected in the future remains open, making it a situation worth monitoring.
