In anticipation of the debut we have all been waiting for, the Edmonton Oilers have made a couple of roster moves to free up space. With Zach Hyman expected to make his season debut on Saturday evening’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, something had to give.
Rookie forward Isaac Howard has been loaned down to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. Additionally, defender Troy Stecher has been placed on waivers.
What to make of these moves?
Ultimately, the Oilers are (as usual) a cap strapped team with too many players. With the impending return of Hyman, someone had to be the odd man out. Both for roster size and cap space.
Isaac Howard’s next developmental steps
For Howard, the highly touted rookie scorer, his debut season has probably not gone as he would have hoped. He has struggled to stay in the lineup, and when he is in the lineup, does not get prime playing time. So far, he has two goals and one assist in 17 games.
Though his utilization may be up for debate, as head coach Kris Knoblauch faces criticism for lineup management early on this season, Howard has not made a significant enough impact to stay in the lineup or receive more ice time. Contrasting with fellow rookie Matthew Savoie, who has found his groove in recent games and has seen more responsibility added.
Nevertheless, this stint in Edmonton gave Howard a chance to learn what the NHL is all about. Now, he should be heading to Bakersfield and placed in a situation for him to develop all facets of his game while playing a big role for the farm team.
Troy Stecher trade incoming?
For Stecher, rumours have been swirling in recent weeks that he was the odd man out in a defensive depth battle between himself, Alec Regula, and Ty Emberson. Once trade rumours began swirling over Stecher, it became clear he had lost out in that battle.
Bakersfield’s defensive depth could use someone of Stecher’s pedigree. But it does seem equally as likely that this could be a precursor to a trade. The player himself may, at this stage of his career, prefer to stay in the NHL. There is almost assuredly a team in the league that would take on a veteran defender like Stecher.
