The Edmonton Oilers are already feeling the pressure of the 2025-26 season.
After reaching each of the last two Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers know their window is now and are doing everything in their power to capitalize on this stellar core. Edmonton recently traded its 2024 first-round pick, Sam O’Reilly, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for their 2022 first-round pick and 2024 Hobey Baker Award winner, Isaac Howard.
While a prospect for a prospect trade is not necessarily what Oilers fans had in mind for instant replenishments, Howard has a real shot of cracking the opening-day lineup, according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli.
Seravalli also talked about how people around the league generally view Howard as more NHL-ready than O’Reilly. He has not yet suited up for a game, but this move could go a long way in retaining Connor McDavid.
McDavid is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and finally capturing that Cup he so desperately covets is the best chance of securing him for the long term.
The Oilers struggled mightily to produce offense against the Florida Panthers, again, and adding a high-profile youngster like Howard could help get them over the top. That is a lot of pressure for a rookie, but this is also Edmonton, and anything short of hoisting Lord Stanley will be viewed as a disappointment.
Expect the Oilers to maintain this all-in, win-now mentality as it tries to satisfy McDavid’s wishes and return to the Wayne Gretzky-led glory days.
For now, Edmonton should expect big things from its new acquisition, Howard, this winter.
