Howard, who won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player last season, has a chance to go from the top line at Michigan State University to a top-six role alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl with the Oilers. It would be an impressive jump for the 21-year-old forward.

When it comes to rookie right wingers, the Oilers crop in 1980-81 ranks with the all-time best for an NHL team. Jari Kurri (75 games, 32-43-75) and Glenn Anderson (58 games, 30-23-53) were instant plug-and-play impact wingers and would go on to Hall of Fame careers.

The Lightning had a fine prospect in Isaac Howard. Drafted in the first round in 2022, the American forward won the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Trophy this season.

Edmonton acquired Isaac Howard from the Lightning in exchange for Sam O'Reilly. Howard also signed a three-year entry-level contract to turn pro after winning the Hobey Baker Award.

This in from NHL hockey writer Frank Seravalli, news that the Edmonton Oilers were close to acquiring Tampa prospect Isaac Howard, voted the top hockey player in U.S. college hockey last season, only to see the deal fall through.

A failed trade attempt by the Edmonton Oilers to acquire highly-touted prospect Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning has been revealed by analyst Frank Seravalli.