Isaac Howard enters camp with Mike Babcock holding a decision that could reshape both the winger's role and the Edmonton Oilers' trade plans.
Edmonton is already being linked to a significant in-season move, with the club still operating firmly in win-now mode around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The intriguing piece is Howard. Allan Mitchell raised the possibility that Edmonton could deliberately put the young winger in an offensive position that increases his value before exploring the trade market.
“Bowman has to wait on Mike Babcock's assessment of all players, especially Howard,” Mitchell wrote.
That assessment gives Babcock real influence over what comes next. Howard could earn a longer look beside elite talent rather than simply fighting for minutes lower in the lineup.
The strategy would be straightforward: give Howard quality deployment, see whether his production jumps, then decide whether his value to Edmonton is greater on the roster or in a trade.
Howard faces a major opportunity in Edmonton
Howard produced 5 points in 29 NHL games last season after joining Edmonton, while his production with Bakersfield reached 50 points in 47 games.
That gap between levels makes his next stretch especially important. Edmonton needs to find out whether Howard can translate his offensive skill into a regular NHL role before making any major roster call.
Corey Pronman ranked Howard as Edmonton's fourth-best young player but was “not completely sold that his skill is that elite.”
Howard has also reportedly “added some strength,” an important development as he tries to hold his position against NHL defenders and earn Babcock's trust.
The bigger pressure belongs to Edmonton. After consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, the Oilers exited in the first round in 2026.
If Babcock gives Howard top-six exposure and the winger responds, Edmonton suddenly gains two options: keep an improving young scorer or use his rising value to chase a more established piece.
That makes Howard more than another prospect fighting for a job. His early-season deployment could become one of Edmonton's clearest signals about where management wants this roster to go.
Should the Oilers trade Isaac Howard for an established top-six player?
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