Oilers May Have Run Out of Patience With Former Top Prospect

Nestor Quixtan of Heavy reports that the Edmonton Oilers may have run out of patience with forward Isaac Howard. After being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning for prospect Sam O'Reilly, the 2025 Hobey Baker winner has struggled to secure a top-six role and is currently playing on the fourth line. The Athletic identified the 22-year-old winger as an under-the-radar trade candidate for the Stanley Cup-contending club.

Quixtan argues that because the Oilers are in win-now mode, general manager Stan Bowman cannot afford to wait for Howard's development. With injured forwards nearing a return, the writer suggests Edmonton could use Howard's entry-level value in a trade with a rebuilding team, although no deal is currently reported to be imminent.