Former NHL GM compares new Oiler Isaac Howard to star-level player
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When you've been around the NHL for as long as Craig Button has, and have held the key positions he has, you develop an eye for talent. Such is the case for new Oiler Isaac Howard.
The former Calgary Flames' GM, and current TSN Director of Scouting, is comparing Howard to Utah Mammoth star talent Clayton Keller, who knows a thing or two about scoring goals, having scored an average of 32 per season since 2021-22.
"Scores like Clayton Keller," Craig Button said recently on TSN1260. "He's a bit bigger than Clayton, but he has the ability to get into the right spots at the right time, and when he gets the puck on his stick, he's dangerous, and puts the puck in net."
In the 2024-25 season, playing with the NCAA's Michigan State, 21 year-old Isaac Howard scored 26 goals and 26 assists over 36 games played, so the comparable to Clayton Keller is a fairly accurate one.
In fact, LW Isaac Howard has produced at every level he's played, including the USHL, US NTDP, and the NCAA. At the 2023-24 World Junior Championship, Howard recorded 7 goals and 2 assists in 7 games played, and won the Gold Medal with the US at the 2024-25 World Juniors.
In addition to being compared to star Clayton Keller, NHL analysts have given high praise to the Oilers young forward, using terms like 'incredible stickhandling displays', and 'offensive dynamo' to describe him.
Such is his talent, in fact, that Howard will get a good look on one of the Oiler's two top lines, with McDavid and/or Draisaitl, where Craig Button agrees the future star would be a good fit.
"When you're playing with McDavid and Draisaitl, you're going to get you're chances. He's more of a shooter than a playmaker," Craig Button added."
Oilers' GM Stan Bowman was eager to lock-up the 31st overall pick from the 2022 draft, and signed Howard to 3-year entry-level contract, with a cap hit of $950K. Howard becomes an RFA in 2028, at the age of 24.
With NHL training camps opening in a few months, it will interesting to see how Isaac Howard will fare playing alongside Edmonton's established players. If the reports are in fact accurate, there is good chance that we'll be looking at the Oilers' next star forward.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 12 | 319 ANSWERS Former NHL GM compares new Oiler Isaac Howard to star-level player Do you agree with Craig Button comparing Isaac Howard to Clayton Keller? | ||
| yes | 132 | 41.4 % |
| no | 103 | 32.3 % |
| is better than Clayton Keller | 84 | 26.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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