Edmonton Oilers Land 2025 Hobey Baker Winner Isaac Howard in Major Signing That Bolsters Their Future Offensive Firepower

The Edmonton Oilers made a headline-grabbing move that could reshape their future on the wing, announcing the acquisition of 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard and immediately locking him into a three-year entry-level contract. Howard, who led the NCAA in scoring this past season while starring for Michigan, has become one of the most electric and discussed prospects in all of hockey—and now, he’s heading north of the border to join a team already brimming with superstar talent.

For Edmonton, this isn’t just another prospect signing. It’s a bold play for continued excellence. After a heartbreaking exit in the Western Conference Final, the Oilers are once again at a pivotal point: a championship window is wide open, but depth scoring has continued to be a sore spot. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, the Oilers boast arguably the greatest 1-2 punch in hockey. But every contender knows that rings are won with waves of production—especially when playoff time arrives and matchups tighten.

Isaac Howard might not be playoff-tested just yet, but what he brings is exactly what Edmonton has lacked in their bottom-six: speed, creativity, and the ability to create offense on his own. And if his Hobey Baker campaign is any indication, he won’t be stuck on the third line for long.

Originally a first-round draft pick (No. 31 overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning back in 2022, Howard’s path to Edmonton has been a winding but explosive one. After transferring from Minnesota-Duluth to Michigan ahead of the 2023-24 season, Howard erupted offensively. In 2024-25, he lit up college hockey with 67 points in 38 games, including 29 goals. He didn’t just score—he dominated.

Scouts raved about his shift-to-shift motor, his deadly wrist shot, and most importantly, his high hockey IQ. Howard wasn’t just finding goals—he was creating them, threading impossible passes and controlling the pace of games with the poise of a seasoned veteran. His playmaking often left defenders guessing, and his explosiveness through the neutral zone regularly turned routine breakouts into highlight-reel rushes.

Tampa Bay, though still high on Howard’s upside, faced mounting cap concerns and a shallow pipeline on defense. When Edmonton came calling with a package built around young forward Sam O’Reilly and a conditional 2026 draft pick, the Lightning saw an opportunity to address organizational needs and offload Howard’s rights before his UFA status came into play next summer. For Edmonton, this was less about taking a flier and more about jumping the line for a player whose value had skyrocketed after his dominant college campaign.

The Oilers wasted no time. Within hours of acquiring his rights, general manager Ken Holland signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract, reportedly maxing out performance bonuses. The deal reflects the organization’s belief that Howard is not just NHL-ready, but potentially NHL-impactful from Day 1.

“He’s a special talent,” said Holland. “Isaac had one of the most impressive college seasons we’ve seen in recent memory. He’s mature, driven, and highly skilled. We believe he’ll compete for a spot on our roster immediately and complement the dynamic players we already have in place.”

Howard’s arrival in Edmonton is especially timely, with veteran winger Corey Perry retiring and the Oilers’ middle-six forward corps in flux. With Dylan Holloway still developing and Warren Foegele possibly testing free agency, the stage is set for Howard to slide into a meaningful role—and possibly even onto a line with Draisaitl or McDavid.

“I grew up watching those guys,” Howard said in his introductory press conference. “To have the chance to now be on the ice with them? That’s unreal. But I’m here to compete. I’m here to help the team win.”

Howard’s confidence isn’t cockiness—it’s a product of relentless work ethic. The 5-foot-10 winger spent the past two offseasons transforming his skating and adding muscle to his frame. By the time the 2024-25 season began, he looked like a completely different player: one capable of not just keeping up with the pace of the pro game, but dictating it.

Multiple NHL scouts have said Howard’s ceiling could be as high as a top-line winger in the mold of Cole Caufield—a smaller but elite scorer who lives in the offensive zone and punishes teams that lose sight of him for even a second.

“He’s shifty, deceptive, and explosive,” one NHL scout told The Athletic. “But what really separates him is how well he processes the game. He thinks like a veteran, and that’s rare for someone his age.”

For Edmonton, Howard’s arrival might also mark a philosophical shift. While the team has traditionally leaned on big-bodied, defensively responsible forwards in their bottom six, the future demands more speed and skill. Howard gives them both. And with McDavid and Draisaitl entering what many believe will be their prime championship years, time is of the essence.

There’s also the matter of fan excitement. Edmonton has fallen head over heels for Howard’s highlight reels, with social media already flooded with speculation about his NHL debut and potential linemates. The last time the Oilers signed a player with this much hype coming out of college, it was Justin Schultz in 2012—a strong start that eventually faded, but not without flashes of elite play.

The Oilers are hoping for more than flashes from Howard. They’re betting on full-blown firepower.

Yet, as with any young player, there will be growing pains. Howard must adjust to the physicality of the NHL, the grind of an 82-game season, and the pressure of producing in one of the league’s most scrutinized markets. But the Oilers are giving him every resource to succeed, including a full summer of training with the organization’s development staff and a projected spot on the team’s preseason roster.

Howard will also likely feature prominently in Edmonton’s rookie showcase and development camp later this month, where he’ll get his first taste of the professional environment. Oilers assistant GM Bill Scott believes those experiences will be critical.

“He’s already shown he can dominate against his peers,” Scott said. “Now it’s about integrating him into our system, our identity, and getting him comfortable with the demands of the NHL.”

In the long term, the Oilers envision Howard as a player who can be a consistent 20- to 30-goal scorer while also becoming a reliable power-play option. His quick release and spatial awareness make him a natural fit on the half-wall, while his skating allows him to rotate up high and keep defenders on edge.

As Howard embarks on his NHL journey, his personal story is also gaining traction. A native of Hudson, Wisconsin, he’s long been known for his fiery personality and intense competitiveness. Those traits have sometimes drawn scrutiny, especially in his early NCAA days, but this past season showed just how effective he can be when he channels that fire the right way.

“I’ve learned a lot the last few years,” Howard said. “And I’ve grown, both on and off the ice. Now I’m ready to take the next step.”

That next step happens in Edmonton, where he joins a franchise that has been chasing one more dynamic piece to complement their elite core. With Isaac Howard now in the fold, the Oilers are making it clear: they aren’t just playing for the present—they’re investing in the future.

And if Howard delivers the way he did in college, that future could be a whole lot brighter.