Most young players need an inside champion. Craig MacTavish graduated some unique talents when he was coach, often slow-playing the first rounders while elevating the later round picks. Fernando Pisani was recognized immediately by MacT, while Rob Schremp never got a push. It would be unfair to say MacT ignored skill, because he brought Ales Hemsky along at a specific pace (kept him early) and gave minutes to Marc-Andre Bergeron despite chaotic moments.
The acquisition of Ike Howard by the Oilers this summer reminded me of Rick MacLeish’s journey to stardom. It didn’t happen overnight and no one expected a 50-goal season in his first full NHL chance.
MacLeish had been drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1970. On January 31, 1971, the Philadelphia Flyers traded Bernie Parent and a second-round pick in the 1971 draft (Rick Kehoe) to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Mike Walton, Bruce Gamble and a first-round selection (Pierre Plante) in the 1971 draft. Philly then dealt Walton to the Boston Bruins for young MacLeish.
It was a fine deal for all involved, as the Bruins won the 1972 Stanley with Walton contributing, MacLeish emerging as a brilliant offensive talent on a club that would win two Stanleys, and Toronto acquiring a fantastic goaltender for the now and the future. If Harold Ballard hadn’t been so cheap it would have been one of the greatest three-way deals in NHL history.
Ike Howard has several inside champions currently. Stan Bowman and the pro scouts took some risk in acquiring him, and history tells us that means opportunities will be made available. I’m not talking “clear the decks” deployment that abandons all hope of deploying the strongest possible lineup, but I am saying he will get a long look in preseason.
Who might that impact? I believe possible left-wing candidates for the top three lines this fall include Andrew Mangiapane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Vasily Podkolzin, Trent Frederic, and Adam Henrique all could play on the first, second or third line at left wing this coming season. That’s a massive number of qualified players.
Now, one of Nuge or Henrique, or both, will play a bunch at center. I suspect one of the other wingers (say Frederic, Mangiapane or Podkolzin) will play right wing on the third line (Zach Hyman and Matt Savoie probably land the top two RW jobs). That still makes Howard’s job difficult in training camp. He’ll have to find minutes, and that means taking away playing time from men like Mangiapane and Podkolzin. What he needs most is described in the article quoted above: A push from the coach, a pair of linemates like Ross Lonsberry and Gary Dornhoefer. He’ll need an inside champion, and he has one.
On the Lowdown today, Kevin McCurdy will be our feature guest and we’ll talk about Howard’s season to come and why getting a break will be key. Also on the slate: Declan Krueger will chat CFL-Elks and we’ll riff about the Toronto Blue Jays. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440.
New for The Athletic: Connor McDavid vs. Leon Draisaitl: Of the Oilers superstars, who will age better?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6563612/2025/08/20/oilers-mcdavid-draisaitl-aging-curve/
As far as opportunity for Howard, I have little doubt he will get real opportunity to play with skill on this team if he’s putting in the work to learn the pro game structure, etc. – if he continues to try an poke pucks by the d-men on the defensive half boards, his minutes will be reduced.
I just hope that the coaching staff also gives Matt Savoie the opportunity to earn reps in regular season games in the top 6.
Since the trade, when Knob and Bowman have spoken, we hear about Howards offensive abilities and Savoie’s advanced 2-way game and developing PK game.
I hope Savoie isn’t pigeon-holed on to the third line – his offensive potential is every bit as high as Howard’s (and he’s produced against men in the AHL).
Savoie’s advanced 2-way game should give him the leg up playing in the top six.
Howard may need to learn how to play the right way on the third line, which is just fine.
I guess there is always risk in a trade, for all we know, SOR develops in to a superstar in the NHL with a much better career than Howard.
I think many view this trade as acquiring a placer that is closer to the NHL and with a higher offensive ceiling but a lower floor than SOR – seeing SOR as a can’t miss middle of the lineup NHL player whereas Howard has bust potential.
I personally don’t agree with that assessment as I don’t think that SOR has a “higher floor” than Howard because he plays a more 2-way game at the junior level – plays the game “the right way”.
Don’t get me wrong, I think that SOR will indeed have a very nice NHL career, I don’t think he busts out or becomes a tweener but the “risk” of him doing so is every bit as high as the risk of Issac Howard busting out or becoming a tweener.
Remember when the Oilers acquiring Ryan O’Mara? Touted as a can’t miss 3C and likely future captain of the Oilers – based on a similar junior skill set as Sam O’Reily, right?
Lets not forget, from a high level, defensive commitment is something that a player can develop and be taught – high end offensive skill, while it can be developed, can’t be taught if a player does not have it.
I think both players will be impact NHL players.
Tampa likes SOR’s two-way game, Oilers want Howard’s scoring. However, he’s still going to play the right way. That could be a conundrum, because Connor & Leon won’t want to play with him if he can’t.
Interestingly you bring up Frederic there in the LW chat, I kind of had a thought they might try him right wing with McDavid to start the year (at least until Hyman is ready). If that is the case then there’s one less LW hurdle for Ike to jump.
Frederic being an option to displace Nuge/Henrique as a 3C is a great wrinkle too. I love versatility and this roster seems to have it in buckets.
I’ve heard Howard can play both wings to his credit. If Hyman isn’t ready to start the season, then I could definitely see Mangiapane, who likes to play RW also & Frederic as McDavid’s wing men, one of them may find a home with McDavid & Hyman.
There certainly is plenty of insolation for young players such as Savoie, Howard, Emberson & Regula to enter the lineup. This club is in a very fortunate position in that regard. The cards aren’t completely dealt. Nuclear deterrents might be a thing of the past; it’s the same old story Edmonton is going to need to be team tough, they need to be a no-nonsense type of team. I just don’t think they’ve addressed this situation enough and that is my only concern.
I smell an actual hockey trade before opening night.
It will be interesting to see what they do with all of these forwards. The ones I see as certain are Connor Leon Hyman Nuge Mangiapane Podkolzin Frederic Henrique
That leaves Janmark Kapanen Lazar Tomasek Philp Savoie and Howard going after 5 or 6 spots. That leaves one player out if they carry 14 forwards. Stauffer says they also want to have cap space to accumulate for the deadline, I expect Bowman does some things. Camp should be a banger
If they could add a young Lucic to the lineup, I’d be ecstatic.