The Edmonton Oilers are looking to inject some youth and skill into their top-six forward group, with prospects Isaac Howard and Matt Savoie expected to get opportunities to prove themselves. Head coach Kris Knoblauch has expressed a desire to give both players a look in prominent roles, acknowledging that there will be an adjustment period.
The Oilers have been actively working to bolster their prospect pool, acquiring Savoie in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres last summer and Howard more recently from the Tampa Bay Lightning. These additions come at a time when the team is aiming to prolong their contention window, with several veteran players departing. The focus is shifting towards giving younger players a chance to take over and make an impact.
Isaac Howard, 21, is coming off a stellar season at Michigan State University, where he won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA player. He recorded 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games. The Oilers traded Sam O'Reilly to the Lightning to acquire Howard, a move that generated considerable buzz in Edmonton. Howard's offensive talent and potential to contribute as a scorer have many excited about his future with the team.
Matt Savoie, also 21, got a taste of NHL action last season, playing four games with the Oilers and recording one assist. He also had a strong season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Bakersfield Condors, scoring 19 goals and adding 35 assists for 54 points in 66 games. Savoie was acquired from the Sabres in exchange for Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio. He is considered a highly skilled player with excellent playmaking abilities.
Knoblauch recognizes that there will be growing pains as Howard and Savoie adjust to the NHL. The coach also emphasized Savoie's penalty-killing abilities, which he displayed in Bakersfield. Knoblauch sees Savoie as a reliable two-way player.
Several potential line combinations have been suggested, with Howard and Savoie potentially playing alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. One possibility involves Howard playing on McDavid’s wing, while Savoie could find chemistry with Draisaitl. Another scenario involves Andrew Mangiapane mentoring Howard and Savoie on an energetic third line. Knoblauch is known for experimenting with different line combinations during the regular season to find the most effective pairings.
The Oilers' management has made a concerted effort to improve the team's prospect pipeline, and the arrival of Howard and Savoie has injected new excitement into the organization. While the team's focus remains on winning a Stanley Cup, developing young talent is crucial for sustained success.
With the departures of several veteran forwards, including Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, Viktor Arvidsson, Evander Kane and Corey Perry, there are opportunities for Howard and Savoie to step into prominent roles. The Oilers also added other new forwards, such as Andrew Mangiapane, Curtis Lazar and David Tomasek, creating competition for roster spots.
Ultimately, the performance of Howard and Savoie during training camp will determine their roles on the team. However, the Oilers are clearly committed to giving them a chance to prove themselves and contribute to the team's success.
