In a surprising move, the Edmonton Oilers have traded Sam O'Reilly, their 2024 first-round draft pick, to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the promising forward Isaac Howard. O'Reilly had a stellar season with the London Knights in the OHL, contributing significantly to their championship run, while Howard, a Hobey Baker Award winner, excelled at Michigan State, racking up impressive stats.

Howard's potential is highlighted by his 52 points in 37 games during the 2024-25 season, and his recent gold medal achievement with Team USA at the world hockey championship. As part of the trade, Howard has signed a three-year Entry Level Contract, starting in the 2025-26 season, solidifying his future in the NHL.