In a move that surprised many observers, the Edmonton Oilers have opted to trade their first-round selection from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, forward Sam O`Reilly. Just one year after selecting him 32nd overall, O`Reilly is heading to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Confirming the transaction on Tuesday night, the Oilers announced they have acquired 21-year-old forward Isaac Howard from the Lightning in exchange for the draft pick they just made their own a short while ago. A swift turnaround, indeed, for a player still wet behind the ears from his draft day photo op.
Howard, a five-foot-11 left-shot winger originally drafted by Tampa Bay 31st overall in the 2022 draft, arrives in Edmonton with a significantly different pedigree than the player he was traded for. He spent the 2024-25 season showcasing his offensive prowess at Michigan State University, where he exploded for 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in just 37 games. This exceptional performance earned him the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top player in NCAA men`s hockey. Over his two seasons with the Spartans, Howard compiled an impressive 88 points (34 goals, 54 assists) across 73 contests.
Adding to his successful year, Howard also secured a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 World Hockey Championship, chipping in one assist in four appearances.
Alongside the trade announcement, the Oilers also confirmed that Howard has agreed to terms on a three-year Entry Level Contract (ELC), set to commence with the 2025-26 season. This signing indicates the Oilers view Howard as a prospect who is potentially closer to making an impact at the professional level.
On the other side of the deal, 19-year-old Sam O`Reilly departs Edmonton after a successful campaign with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Last season, the Toronto native recorded 71 points (28 goals, 43 assists) in 62 regular-season games. He was a key contributor during the Knights` playoff run, tallying 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 17 games en route to winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the second consecutive year. O`Reilly also played a significant role in London`s Memorial Cup victory, adding five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games.
Trading a first-round pick so soon after selecting him is an uncommon maneuver in the NHL landscape. For the Oilers, this swap suggests a prioritization of Howard`s more established collegiate success and Hobey Baker recognition over O`Reilly`s high-end OHL production and championship experience. It`s a clear gamble on Howard`s potential to transition his elite NCAA performance to the professional ranks, perhaps believing he offers a slightly more immediate or higher-ceiling offensive threat for their system.
Conversely, the Lightning acquire a player in O`Reilly who, despite being traded quickly, still possesses the attributes that made him a first-round selection just last year: strong offensive instincts and a track record of winning at the junior level. Tampa Bay is betting on their ability to develop the younger prospect within their pipeline.
Ultimately, this trade represents a calculated exchange of prospect timelines and developmental paths. The Oilers acquire a player lauded as the best in U.S. college hockey, seemingly fast-tracking an offensive talent towards their roster. The Lightning take on a promising, younger player with a solid junior pedigree. Only time, as always, will tell which organization`s bet pays off more handsomely in the future.