Oilers’ Isaac Howard gets off to a good start with AHL’s Bakersfield Condors – Hockey Writer – Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers made a splash this offseason with their decision to add young talent in forward Isaac Howard, acquiring forward Sam O’Reilly from the Tampa Bay Lightning. A former Hobey Baker Award winner, Howard has high expectations heading into the 2025-26 season, but the Oilers appear willing to be patient with him as he gets used to the professional level of hockey.
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Howard was named to the Oilers’ roster for the opening game, but it was clear from the start that he would need to iron out some issues before he could become a permanent member of the Oilers’ lineup. He played 17 games for the Oilers, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points, before the Oilers chose to assign him to the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Prior to joining the Oilers, Howard was selected by the Lightning with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft after having a standout season with the United States National Development Team in the United States Hockey League (USHL), scoring 11 goals and adding 37 points and 26 assists in 27 games.
He joined the University of Minnesota Duluth in the 2022-23 season and scored 6 goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 35 games. He then transferred to Michigan State University, where he played in 73 games over the next two seasons, scoring 34 goals and 54 assists for 78 points, a slightly above-average scoring average.
In the 2024 U20 World Youth Championship, he scored 7 goals and contributed 2 assists in 7 games, scoring 9 points. In the 2024-25 season, he won the Hobey Baker Award, which is awarded to the top college hockey player in the NCAA.
Howard’s hot start in AHL impressive
Some fans have questioned Oilers head coach Chris Knoblauch’s usage at the NHL level, as he saw little playing time and was mostly used as a fourth-line player before being benched. He does look like a step behind and it’s clear he lacks confidence, so some time in the minors won’t hurt him and allow him to fine-tune his game. He will likely get a call-up later in the season.
Since joining the Condors, Howard has been dominant on both ends of the floor. In two games, he scored two goals and added two assists for four points, maintaining an impressive two-point-per-game average.
Obviously, it’s still early in his season and the Oilers’ main goal is to continue to develop him as he returns to the NHL level. His defense seems to be the main thing the organization wants him to work on before he gets a chance to play for the Oilers again, but his hot start has raised some eyebrows.
We’ll see if he can continue to fine-tune his game on both ends of the floor and eventually become the top-six forward the Oilers want him to be. Howard has proven in previous seasons that he can be an impact offensively, so if he continues to score and dominate the AHL, the Oilers will have no choice but to draft him sooner rather than later.
Be sure to stay tuned as the 2025-26 season progresses hockey writer Be your source for news, updates and more from the NHL and hockey world.
