{"id":368659,"date":"2025-12-22T00:21:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T00:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/368659\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T00:21:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T00:21:53","slug":"what-happens-now-with-red-hot-isaac-howard-in-edmonton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/368659\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens Now With Red-Hot Isaac Howard In Edmonton?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Isaac Howard<\/a> is making it harder and harder to ignore what he\u2019s doing in Bakersfield. Sent down to the AHL so he could get more ice time and produce offensively, he\u2019s done that in spades. The Edmonton Oilers prospect recorded a natural hat trick on Saturday night to lead the Condors to a 3\u20132 win, another strong statement in a series of solid outings.<\/p>\n

Through 14 games with Bakersfield, Howard now has nine goals and 19 points, good for a 1.36 points-per-game pace as a rookie. He\u2019s also sitting at plus-13. Edmonton had hoped he would be a good fit in the top nine, maybe even the top six. Unfortunately, he wasn\u2019t given the minutes for more than a shift or two in a game or two to start the season. Often playing under eight minutes a night, it was tough for him to find a rhythm. <\/p>\n

His raw skill was never the question. The debate was always about timing and whether he\u2019d get the reps he needed to get rolling.<\/p>\n

Going to the AHL Was The Right Call for Howard<\/p>\n

Howard has benefited from getting extra AHL minutes. The decisions seem to be paying off, and at some point, the hope is his AHL success will translate into NHL production. The Condors have given him exactly what he needs: ice time, responsibility, and the freedom to play through mistakes. He won\u2019t get that in Edmonton right now, so calling him up seems unlikely. <\/p>\n

\"IsaacIsaac (Ike) Howard Oilers Photo by Jim Parsons<\/p>\n

Some fans will wonder why the Oilers haven\u2019t recalled Howard, given his red-hot run in Bakersfield. Look no further than Quinn Hutson<\/a>\u2018s recent stint in Edmonton, and you\u2019ll understand why. Edmonton is leaning heavily on its top six and getting Jack Roslovic<\/a> back on Sunday. Hutson scored a goal in his couple of games, but did so while getting almost no minutes. His high was 9:17 on Saturday. That\u2019s not the right play for Howard.<\/p>\n

For a first-year pro, there\u2019s real value in playing a lot, running power plays, and building confidence away from the NHL spotlight.<\/p>\n

The Oilers have seen this movie before. Letting young players cook in the minors is finally starting to show returns with a player like Matthew Savoie<\/a>, and there\u2019s no reason to rush Howard before he\u2019s fully ready to contribute in a meaningful role.<\/p>\n

If this production continues, the call-up will come. <\/p>\n

Next: Oilers Get Roslovic Boost to Lineup Ahead of Game vs. Golden Knights<\/a><\/p>\n

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