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Edmonton Oilers last move called franchise altering moment by analyst


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Liam McCormick
July 19, 2025  (9:59 PM)
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Oilers forward Isaac Howard
Photo credit: USA Today Sporrs

The Edmonton Oilers had a mission this offseason to get younger, and now next season they'll be heavily relying on Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie in key roles.

Matthew Savoie was expected to make the jump after a year of quality development in the AHL, but the Isaac Howard trade doubles the high-end young talent in what could be a franchise altering moment for Edmonton.

Analyst calls Isaac Howard trade a franchise altering moment for Edmonton Oilers

In a recent article for the Athletic from Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell, the injection of this young talent at a moment where some older stars are declining could be a franchise defining moment for Edmonton.
The Oilers suffered a down year with scoring wingers on the McDavid line. The slide offensively for the No. 1 trio included both of the captain's most common linemates.

Nugent Hopkins is 32, Hyman is 33, and the offensive cliff often hits players at some point in their early 30s. Those 2024-25 numbers suggest it might be time to begin easing youth on to the top line.

Howard gives the team a substantial young option on left wing. Matt Savoie, a different player (more playmaker than scorer), does basically the same on right wing.

- Allan Mitchell

The Edmonton Oilers lost some significant veteran talent this offseason that contributed 63 goals to their team's offence last season.
They're betting that Howard and Savoie can be key factors in replacing that lost offence, and perhaps even taking a step further and developing into star players. As Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins begin to slow down with age, the Oilers desperately need this young talent to hit.
Hopefully this does serve as a franchise defining moment, and the Oilers have secured two young stars to extend their contention window for years to come.
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Edmonton Oilers last move called franchise altering moment by analyst

Do you think the two young Oilers will develop into star players?

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