Top Oilers prospect could be sent to AHL for development soon
Photo credit: Imagn Images
It is becoming more and more apparent that Oilers' rookie Ike Howard's game would benefit greatly from spending time with the Bakersfield Condors.
Coach in position to make roster decisions for bottom-6 forwards
While new addition Jack Roslovic prepares to enter the lineup during the Oilers upcoming road trip, thus far Andrew Mangiapane and David Tomasek have made good impressions, forcing Kris Knoblauch's hand about what to do with rookie Ike Howard.
The 21-year old Hobey Baker Award winner has been struggling to get his game up-to-speed. He had a quiet two NextGen games against the Calgary Flames, and though his talent was on display in the preseason, he hasn't found success during the regular season.
Some in the Oilers' organization believed that, being an older prospect, Howard would stand-out in the two games against Calgary's prospects; though he showed glimpses of his potential, he ultimately looked mediocre.
On Wednesday against the Flames, Howard played a TOI of 10:43 over 14 shifts, the third-fewest minutes of any that played that night. On a 4th-line with Adam Henrique and David Tomasek the first two games, he's had very little impact personally and on the line.
Saturday's game against Vancouver, Howard again played only 10:17 of TOI and was again ineffective, finishing with just one shot on net and making a costly turnover. Of any skater, Howard played the fourth-fewest minutes. Where TOI is an indication of the impact a player is having on the game, Howard's low-minutes bode poorly for him to remain in the lineup.
While he's offensively gifted, his defensive game needs work, according to scouting reports. The AHL could provide an environment to focus on this aspect without the immediate pressure of NHL play.
Further supporting coach Knoblauch's decision to send Howard to the AHL is Zach Hyman's return from LTIR in November and Janmark from the IR.
Ultimately, the decision of where Isaac Howard plays this season will likely depend on a combination of factors, including his performance in the NHL, the Oilers' needs, and the overall team depth.
A stint in the AHL could be beneficial for his development and confidence, but his talent and potential also suggest he could contribute at the NHL level. The Oilers appear to be taking a patient approach with his development.
