Former Lightning First-Round Pick Named Oilers' Top Trade Candidate

Back during the 2025 NHL off-season, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded former first-round pick Isaac Howard to the Edmonton Oilers for forward Sam O'Reilly. This was after Howard and the Lightning were unable to come to terms on an entry-level contract. 

Now, just a little over a year later, Howard is once again creating some chatter as a potential trade candidate to watch with the Oilers.

In a recent article for The Athletic, Janson Duench named Howard as the Oilers' top "under-the-radar" trade candidate.

"With several injured forwards nearing a return, Howard’s spot in the lineup is also in jeopardy. While the 22-year-old winger is skilled and hardworking and holds value on an entry-level contract, the win-now Oilers don’t have years to wait for an extended development," Duench wrote.

With the Oilers being big buyers, it would be understandable if they used Howard as a trade chip to bring in a proven player who would help them immediately. Rebuilding teams would likely love to take a gamble on a former first-round pick like Howard, as he has good upside. He also could benefit by joining a weaker team that would provide him with more opportunities.

Howard has appeared in eight games this season with the Oilers, where he has two assists. This is after the former Lightning top prospect recorded two goals and five points in 29 games for the Oilers this past season.

Howard has shown a lot of promise when in the AHL, though. During the 2025-26 season with the Bakersfield Condors, he had 24 goals and 50 points in 47 games. This kind of AHL production could help him generate some interest.

Howard was selected by the Lightning with the 31st overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.