Michigan State Hockey Loses Nation’s Top Player in NHL Trade
ALBERTA, CANADA, JUL 9 – The Lightning traded Isaac Howard due to contract disputes and acquired signed prospect Sam O'Reilly, who has a strong two-way game and comes with an entry-level contract through 2028.
- In a recent trade, the Tampa Bay Lightning sent top prospect Isaac Howard to the Edmonton Oilers for 18-year-old Sam O'Reilly, announced this week.
- Following contract disagreements, Howard refused to sign with the Lightning, seeking team choice, prompting Tampa Bay to trade his rights to Edmonton.
- Howard, Hobey Baker Award winner, scored 26 goals and 52 points in 37 college games, while O'Reilly posted 28 goals and 71 points in 62 OHL contests.
- The Oilers signed Howard to a three-year contract and plan to include him in their opening-night lineup, while the Lightning acquired O'Reilly on a multi-year deal.
- Looking ahead, Howard joins Oilers stars McDavid and Draisaitl, adding a young top-nine forward after weeks of speculation before the trade.
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81 Articles
Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning Announce Swap of Top Prospects
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers shook up their respective prospect pools with a major trade on Tuesday. The rare mid-July swap of top prospects will see the Oilers send 2024 first-round pick (No. 32 overall) Sam O’Reilly to…
Oilers Acquire Hobey Baker Winner Isaac Howard from Lightning in Exchange for Sam O’Reilly
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers acquired 21-year-old forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday in exchange for forward Sam O’Reilly, who was selected 32nd overall in the 2024 draft. Howard finished with 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games while helping Michigan State win the Big Ten regular-season and conference tournament titles and earning the Hobey Baker award as the NCAA’s top player. The club also an…
MSU Hockey's Isaac Howard Forgoes Final Year, Signs With Edmonton
Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK EAST LANSING, July 9, 2025 ~ After initially deciding to return to East Lansing for his final season on the ice, Michigan State Hockey forward Isaac Howard has accepted an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers after being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Howard, who won the Hobey Baker award last season while leading the Spartans to two Big Ten titles, could not reach an agreement with Tampa Bay,…
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