July 8, 2025 | 9:50pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

OILERS ACQUIRE HOWARD FROM LIGHTNING

Isaac Howard, forward

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Sam O’Reilly.

The Oilers have also signed Howard to a three-year entry-level contract beginning in 2025-26.

Howard, 21, appeared in 37 games for Michigan State University in 2024-25, recording 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points, earning the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top men’s hockey player.

Selected by the Lightning with the 31st-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Hudson, Wisconsin native spent two seasons with the Spartans, scoring 34 goals and 54 assists for 88 points over 73 games, and

captured a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship this past May, appearing in four games and tallying one assist for the United States.

O’Reilly, 19, skated in 62 regular season games with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season, recording 28 goals and 71 points.

He was originally drafted by the Oilers in the first round, 32nd overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft.