New Oilers player named biggest sleeper add of NHL offseason

Reports coming out of the Oilers' camp has the 21-year old Howard playing a crucial role next season 2025-26, and every opportunity to play on the team's top-6 forwards; he is listed to play alongside Zack Hyman and Connor McDavid.

This has NHL analysts at the Hockey News bullish on Howard's production this season, getting up to 50 points at the higher end - and he could still surpass it.

Further Oilers' reports say that Howard will get a look on the second powerplay unit, this on a team that is coming off back-to-back Finals appearances, a move that suggests the confidence Oilers' have placed on the NCAA graduate is considerable, this on the heels of a steep rise in his development.

In his first NCAA season with Minnesota-Duluth, Howard was a middle-6 player; he recorded 17 points in 35 games played. He was then transferred to Michigan State, and elevated his game in season two, posting a point-per-game in 36 games. Finally, in his third NCAA season, a breakout campaign, Isaac scored 26G and 26A, in 37 games played. This was good enough to earn him a spot on Team USA at the IIHF World Championship.

Isaac Howard's record shows a clear path of escalated development, which many believe will continue into his professional career, where he is projected to score between 15 and 20 goals, and 20 to 30 assists.

If Howard clicks with his anticipated linemates, 60 points is not out of the question. Keep an eye out for this young player. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised. Many others seem to think so too.