In a late-night deal, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers are swapping recent first-round picks, as forward Sam O’Reilly is heading to the Lightning in exchange for forward Isaac Howard. Both teams have announced the deal. The Oilers also announced Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in 2025-26.
O’Reilly was selected 32nd overall by the Oilers in the 2024 NHL Draft and posted 28 goals, 71 points, and a plus-56 rating in 62 games for the OHL’s London Knights this past season. He added 22 points in 17 playoff games. In 135 career regular-season games with London, O’Reilly, 19, has scored 127 points to go along with 74 penalty minutes. A two-time OHL champion, the 6’1″, 190 center has added 34 playoff points through 33 games. More than just an offensive threat, O’Reilly has the potential, size, and physicality to also be a shutdown center.
Howard, selected 31st overall in the 2023 draft, spent the last two seasons at Michigan State University after transferring from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Howard, a 5’11”, 190-pound left wing, took his game to the next level during the 2024-25 season, posting 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games. On a team that featured eight other players either drafted or signed by NHL clubs, he led the Spartans in scoring by 21 points and went on to win the Hobey Baker Award. In two seasons with Michigan State, Howard has produced 88 points and a plus-22 rating.
While O’Reilly may have the higher ceiling as a two-way player, Howard, 21, is closer to being NHL-ready. When Howard does make the jump to professional hockey, his sharp shooting ability and quick skating could make him an immediate fit in the Oilers’ already dangerous top six. Insider Frank Seravalli notes that the Oilers plan to have Howard in their opening night lineup this October.
I’m perfectly fine with this trade as it’s literally a 1st round prospect for a 1st round prospect. Isaac Howard didn’t want to play for Tampa for reasons that are not entirely clear. He’s reportedly has an attitude problem. Best of luck to Edmonton in dealing with a player who seems entitled. Howard has much talent but he could be a problem if Edmonton doesn’t take control & set things straight with him. They did with Evander Kane, so who knows.
As for Tampa, I quite like Sam O’Reilly as he’s an aggressive agitator, defensive center & playmaker. He’s going to be a great addition to Tampa and potentially bring a caliber of player in the form of such players as Corey Perry, Sam Bennett, & such. We’ll see how things go.
Every time you emotional types feel slighted by a player taking some control of where he works you babble about him “reportedly” having an attitude problem and how he is entitled. You got to choose where you work and your employer – reportedly someone said you were also entitled and bringing an attitude problem. True stuff?
Where has it been reported he has an attitude problem?
@Doghockey – I don’t feel slighted at all. However, based on your short-sighted perspective, the league shouldn’t even bother to have a draft by your standards as these prospects who have not proven themselves in the NHL should be able to decide who they should go to or not. That’s ridiculous. You forget, the league doesn’t owe players anything. It’s a privilege to be a professional athlete and players have to earn their position. Isaac Howard hasn’t proven a single thing in the NHL. An established player has the right to choose where he wants to play or not because he’s earned it. Prospects like Howard have not.
the bidding war that you predicted never happened, alas
@jdgoat – One of the top NHL insiders reported it a couple months back and it’s been reported in a couple of other articles. I don’t have the links to the sources but I’m sure you could find them if the articles remain online.
@yeasties – Actually it did. You obviously didn’t keep up on the matter. There was several teams including the Oilers, Rangers, & so forth bidding for Howard. Tampa’s GM BriseBois even stated a number of teams were giving offers for Howard. Tampa obviously went with Edmonton’s offer in the end. Alas, you’re incorrect.
Not sure what Howard’s issue was with playing in Tampa, but good job by the Bolts for getting a good return for him.
He wanted a clearer path to NHL time than they could offer. He also wanted to sign his ELC and have it kick in immediately, but they didn’t have the cap space nor someone they were willing to send to the AHL to accommodate his request.
The Lightning didn’t have the money to sign Howard, And he felt slighted.
The lightning are smart. Good riddance. Howard is so tone deaf its laughable. Leading into Hobey baker, everyone lauded his competitiveness, then ironically, as reported by Brisbois, Howard liked the idea of choosing his path….which is of course…the path of least resistance. So much for competitiveness.
His crap would not mesh well in the Lightning locker room. The guy pouts cuz he can not burn NHL first year and jump in the line up down the stretch. Everyone but Hedman and Vasi cut their teeth in the AHL, including Cooper.
Anyways, great job getting some ROI on the trade.
Howard NHL ready, but I think O’Reilly may be better long term. Good payoff for both teams
Rough day for MSU. Lose McKenna to Penn State and then lose their only point producer on the roster to Edmonton. Too funny.
Nice upgrade for Edmonton. And all things considered it’s a good return for Tampa. I’d rather have Howard but O’Reilly is a better option than the comp pick they would have received.
@jdgoat – It’s actually a fair trade overall. Both 1st round prospects. Howard is NHL ready (he’s 2 years older) but a lot of scouts in the league believe O’Reilly has the higher ceiling as a two-way player. No clue how things turn out in the future but there is a potential outcome where O’Reilly could end being the better overall player especially if Howard doesn’t improve defensively which is up to the player.
Howard is 21 and wants a chance to play. At least he’s got that now
Hmm so many in Vancouver especially nodding heads at SN650 pitch Canucks’ mantra that you don’t get anything good after the top-12, so sell sell sell. Smart teams know otherwise, and when they’re a non-playoff team they try their darndest to acquire more first rd picks… In past 6 years Vancouver has dealt 5 first rd picks looking for a quick fix. Look where they are still.