Oilers Fans Are Split on Ike Howard’s Path to the NHL

One of the questions the Edmonton Oilers will have to answer this season is how much Isaac (Ike) Howard can impact the lineup. Is he ready to be an everyday NHLer, or is he headed back to the AHL for more seasoning? In 2025-26, it was the latter. But with a new coach and one more season of development under his belt, is this Howard’s year?

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The debate kicked off on Reddit, where one fan asked whether Howard gets traded for a top-six winger, spends another half-season in Bakersfield, or finally locks down a full-time roster spot. The response was massive — dozens of predictions, lineup theories, and stat projections poured in within days.

The Matthew Savoie Comparison

The most common name to surface in the responses, specifically as a reference to how development can go correctly, was Matthew Savoie. Savoie struggled early last season in a limited, defense-first role before breaking out after the All-Star break. Several commenters argued Howard could follow a similar arc — a slow start followed by a second-half surge, especially if new head coach Mike Babcock shows patience. Others were skeptical Babcock will extend that same runway to a rookie viewed as more of a pure shooter than a 200-foot player.

Savoie is a 200-foot player who offers penalty-killing minutes and other attributes. Howard is more of a one-dimensional scorer, but he’s got the potential to be really good at scoring. Predictions for Howard’s stat line varied widely, from a modest 15-goal, 15-assist season to more optimistic 20-goal projections if he lands significant power-play time. A few fans went further, floating him as a potential Calder Trophy dark horse if he breaks out early.

Where Does He Fit in the Oilers Lineup?

If the Oilers really want to see what Howard can do, several fans pushed to pair him with Leon Draisaitl, pointing to Draisaitl’s track record mentoring young wingers. This would be Babcock putting the youngster in a prime spot and hoping he doesn’t lose it. The leash likely wouldn’t be long if the production isn’t there, but Howard can only blame himself if it doesn’t pan out.

One commenter labeled Howard as a shooter who “finds open spaces to use his shot” rather than a puck-carrier. That potentially makes him a poor fit for a shutdown role. That’s why he needs to play alongside a true playmaker to produce.

Is Howard A Trade Chip?

The conversation also touched on trade speculation, with some fans wondering whether Howard could be packaged in a deal for a proven top-six winger. There’s some merit to the idea, if only because the Oilers don’t have many other assets to offer up that teams might want.

That idea got pushback from others in the thread. Many argued the return likely wouldn’t be worth moving a cost-controlled, high-upside prospect — especially with rival teams reportedly able to offer more valuable trade packages of their own.

Howard enters camp as one of the more polarizing names on the Oilers’ roster: a player fans widely believe has the tools to be an impact scorer, but whose readiness for full-time NHL minutes is genuinely up for debate. How Babcock handles him early in the season, and whether the coaching staff shows the same patience it showed with Savoie, may end up shaping what kind of season he has.

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