The projected structure of the Edmonton Oilers’ forward lineup in 2026-27 creates an interesting dilemma for 22-year-old forward Isaac Howard.

Traded to the Oilers from the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer in exchange for Edmonton’s 2024 first-round pick Sam O’Reilly, Howard is the organization’s top prospect in an otherwise unremarkable pool. With Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins now entering their mid‑30s, the Oilers badly need an injection of youth and skill near the top of their lineup, and alongside Matt Savoie, the expectation is that Howard has the upside to eventually develop into a long‑term fixture on Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl’s wings.

In 2025‑26, Howard appeared in 29 NHL games, averaging just over 10 minutes per night and finishing with five points. He spent most of the season in the AHL, where he played 49 games for Bakersfield and excelled in several areas, most notably goal-scoring. After a strong campaign with the Condors, the hope is that 2026‑27 could be Howard’s breakout year in the NHL.

However, where should the young forward play in Edmonton’s lineup? The answer isn’t exactly straightforward.

Can Isaac Howard find a role in the Oilers’ bottom six in 2026-27?

First, let’s establish that Howard’s most notable attribute is his goal-scoring ability.

At Michigan State in 2024‑25, Howard scored 26 goals in 37 games, finishing second among all forwards in non‑power‑play goals per game. That scoring touch translated seamlessly to the AHL in 2025‑26, where he ranked near the top of the league in both total goals and 5‑on‑5 goals per game. This is a player with a superb release. 

The typical spot for talented, young, but unproven forwards in the NHL is often the third line. It’s a role that offers meaningful minutes without the pressure or competition of a top‑six spot, while avoiding the limited minutes of a fourth‑line spot. This could also help address a key issue for this Oilers team, whose depth scoring cratered in 2025-26; without McDavid and Draisaitl on-ice, Edmonton scored fewer than 1.7 goals per hour at 5v5, a steep drop from the 2.42 rate they posted in 2022‑23. Theoretically, this is a way that Howard could provide great value to Edmonton.

However, this may not........

© Oilers Nation