This just in – the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning have completed a former first-round pick swap, which sees 2024 32nd overall pick Sam O’Reilly going to the state of Florida and 2022 31st overall pick Isaac Howard coming north of the border to Oil Country.
🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 9, 2025
The #Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O'Reilly. We have also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/k3UHkpv6Ik
The details of the trade
The trade is one-for-one. That is, the Oilers sent O’Reilly to Tampa Bay, while the Lightning sent Howard back to Edmonton. Promptly after the trade was completed, Howard signed his 3-year entry-level contract with the club, which now renders him ineligible to continue playing college hockey.
Howard, the 2024–25 Hobey Baker winner, scored 26 goals and 26 assists (52 points) in 37 games for Michigan State this season. Meanwhile, O’Reilly, the 2024–25 Memorial Cup winner, scored 28 goals and 43 assists (71 points) in 62 games with the London Knights.
Despite not owning a first round pick heading into the 2024 draft, Edmonton was able to snag O’Reilly by trading away their own 2025 1st round pick (which ended up being 31st overall). In terms of pure value, this trade shakes down as the 31st overall pick in 2025 for the 31st overall pick in 2022. This seems like a fairly even transaction, save for one key difference. This being that Isaac Howard is a far more NHL-ready prospect, having played against men in college for the past three years. Therein lies the value for Edmonton, a team that desperately needs production from cheap contracts over the next few seasons.
Where does Isaac Howard fit in the Edmonton Oilers’ organization?
Although Howard was slated to play in Michigan State in his senior year, the opportunity to slot beside one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton’s top-six may have ultimately proved too tempting. This could be a major upgrade to Edmonton’s forward corps his upcoming season as they gear up for another Stanley Cup run.
Howard will be a cheap option at wing with plenty of scoring and offensive potential. With fellow prospect Matthew Savoie also expected to play a regular role in the NHL next season, the Oilers have suddenly found their wings getting a lot younger.
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