Oilers have another move coming after Howard trade knocks veteran out of lineup

On Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers announced they have acquired 21 year-old forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightening, in exchange for Sam O'Reilly, a 32nd overall pick in 2024.

A skilled forward who played for Michigan State last season, Isaac Howard recorded 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games played, and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the NCAA.The Oilers and Howard have agreed to a 3-year entry-level contract beginning in 2025-26.

As a result of this trade, however, one NHL Insider believes the Oilers will need to move out one of their veteran players, likely the 32 year-old Mattias Janmark, whose $1.450M cap hit can be better allocated toward some of the team's more pressing needs.

In 2024-25, Mattias Janmark recorded 2 goals and 16 assists in 80 games played, a production that can be easily replaced with a bottom-six depth player on a league-minimum contract, allowing the Oilers a little more cap-flexibility, a scenario that Insider Bob Stauffer believes won't be a surprise.

In addition to winning the Hobey Baker Award, Isaac Howard won a Gold Medal with the US at the 2025 World Hockey Championship.

Stan Bowman will continue to build and tweak the Oilers' roster in time for the beginning of this fall's training camp, with a priority on goaltending, given the recent controversy and firing of their long-standing goalie coach Dustin Schwartz.

Yet, Adding Isaac Howard to the roster and considering trading Mattias Janmark has shown that Stan Bowman is indeed committed to making his lineup younger and more skilled for 2025-26.