The wait has finally come to an end. The Tampa Bay Lighting traded Isaac Howard to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for former 2024 first rounder Sam O’Reilly. This marks the conclusion of a long saga in which Tampa’s own first round pick from the 2022 draft refused to sign an entry level deal with the Lightning. Meanwhile, O’Reilly is a fine return in a situation where the Bolts had a negotiating disadvantage.
Isaac Howard, drafted 31st overall by the Lighting in 2022, is an offensively gifted left shot winger, whose skating, puck skills, and shooting, make him a dangerous scoring threat and one of the league’s better prospects. And with such, it was an incredible disappointment for the Lightning organization and fans alike when Howard let it be known that he would not be signing an ELC with Tampa, but instead would return to Michigan State University and grant himself the freedom to sign with another club next year as a free agent.
Fresh off of a Hobey Baker Award win as the NCAA’s top player, Isaac Howard wanted to take control of his own future, and there wasn’t much GM Julien Brisebois could do about it. Instead of rushing to trade Howard after his news was announced, Brisebois sat on Howard for a while, waiting for the right fit. After the NHL Entry Draft, Brisebois talked on the situation with Isaac Howard, saying
“I actually spoke with his agent yesterday prior to the opening of the draft. We don’t have anything right now. It’s tricky because the teams that are willing to offer me something that I think would be worthwhile for our organization that actually makes us better and kind of fits with the plan we have for our organization, they haven’t been able to agree to a contract with Isaac, and the teams that he feels he can get a deal done with, have not been able to get a deal done with me.”
Well a team finally stepped up with an offer Brisebois felt compensatory enough, as the Edmonton Oilers parted with their own former first overall pick in Sam O’Reilly. O’Reilly is a very well rounded forward, who can play in all situations. Coming off a very successful season in his own right, O’Reilly had 28 goals and 43 assists, for 71 points in 62 games with the London Knights of the OHL. O’Reilly also had 7 goals and 15 assists, for 22 points in 17 post-season games en route to London’s Memorial Cup victory.
What O’Reilly brings to the Lightning
Sam O’Reilly won’t provide the same direct offensive impact that Isaac Howard would have, or will for Edmonton, but O’Reilly’s defensive prowess and compete level are what make him such a coveted player. Elite positioning and hockey IQ is what makes O’Reilly’s game great, and though he may not have as high of a ceiling, O’Reilly could still very well turn out a better player than Howard in the long run.
Being two years younger, O’Reilly’s game is not at the same level right now. However, his eventual role is well-defined. O’Reilly may have the lower ceiling but he has a high floor.
As for winners and losers of this trade, this may come out to be very fair value for both sides. The Oilers acquire a skillful young player who will likely join their roster next year and strive to be an impact player. On the other end, the Lightning received a former first overall pick themselves, in exchange for a player who was unwilling to play for them in the first place.
This trade works out incredibly well for both teams, and likely both fanbases are thrilled. Either way, it’s incredibly fun when two young players’ careers become entangled before either plays their first NHL game. Will this Lightning v. Howard standoff spark a little rivalry with the Oilers next season? Who will have won the trade when we retrospectively look back in ten years? Only time will tell, but for now, this chapter is over.
