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Insider reveals Oilers trade offer to acquire elite forward prospect
Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times
The Edmonton Oilers have been linked to acquiring top prospect Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in trade, who would instantly become the Oilers best prospect.
The Oilers made a similar deal last season to acquire Matthew Savoie, a former top 10 pick of the Buffalo Sabres. In absence of any top end draft picks, the Oilers could continue a strategy of bringing in youth via trade with Isaac Howard.
Edmonton Oilers made trade offer for Isaac Howard, declined by Lightning
According to reports from NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Isaac Howard's representatives briefly thought they were traded to the Oilers this week. The Oilers offered a 1st round draft pick, and are still in talks to acquire him.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer recently speculated on OilersNow that a draft day deal could be made for Isaac Howard. While a trade hasn't materialized yet, the Lightning are still interesting in trading away his signing rights.
There is one more name in the top 15 that kind of makes me go. The right's to Isaac Howard. Tampa Bay's got a lot of wingers under contract.
I believe it's Steve Bartlett. I'm just trying to remember who's got Howard. Is it possible that somebody if they had a late first-rounder in this year's draft could end up getting Howard somehow, someway?
- Bob Stauffer
I believe it's Steve Bartlett. I'm just trying to remember who's got Howard. Is it possible that somebody if they had a late first-rounder in this year's draft could end up getting Howard somehow, someway?
- Bob Stauffer
Howard is a 21 year old left winger currently playing for Michigan State University, and was last year's Hobey Baker Award winner for the best player in College Hockey.
He's recently informed the Tampa Bay Lightning that he won't be signing with the team without a pathway to NHL minutes, and will instead return to school until he hits free agency next season. To recoup an asset for him, the Lightning will deal his rights.
Howard is considered a top-end prospect, but fell to the late first round of the draft.
The Oilers could produce a similar offer to trade for him, do their best to sign him in a great environment, and add a player considered better than Matthew Savoie - already their top prospect.
Looking to play NHL minutes next season, the Oilers will have an opportunity for Howard to play alongside some elite players. If they can get a trade done and convince him to sign, they'll be adding one of the top prospects outside the NHL currently.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 2 | 585 ANSWERS Insider reveals Oilers trade offer to acquire elite forward prospect Do you think the Oilers should trade for Howard? | ||
| Yes | 380 | 65 % |
| No | 205 | 35 % |
| List of polls | ||
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