Breaking down why Howard-O'Reilly deal is a good trade for Oilers and Lightning
In a world of NHL trades that often masquerade as salary dumps or with retained salary, this Ike Howard for Sam O'Reilly deal is refreshing stuff — two high-end forward prospects, one a college player, one a junior, one a fast winger with dynamic offensive chops, one a right-shot centre who plays a pro-type game.
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Howard's ready now, O'Reilly is, say, two years away.
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For now, let's pump the brakes some on where Howard fits.
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Howard, a Hobey Baker winner as the best college hockey player like Cale Makar was, like the late Johnny Gaudreau, by all accounts has top-6 NHL skill, but with a very crowded forward group, on paper at least here, it would be realistic to just hope this Michigan State left-winger is a top-9 forward for the Edmonton Oilers.
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For now.
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Those pre-season forecasts from some that have a 21-year-old who has never played a single minute of pro hockey, pencilled in to play left wing with the best player in the world Connor McDavid, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, closing in on 1,000 NHL games with the Oilers, drops down from McDavid's line to be a third-line centre? Seems a bit of a reach.
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Truth is, Howard, who didn't want to sign with Tampa after being drafted in the first round in 2022, only has to be in the top 9 to start, and if not, with Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane as the first and second line left wingers, then the 21-year-old belongs in Bakersfield.
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Where does Howard fit?
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With McDavid or Leon Draisaitl likely not playing any more than three or four exhibition games, there is not much time for the team to find if Howard meshes with either of them but he should play with both, a lot, when they dress for those games so we see. So, we find out, but if not, then he can hopefully be a third-line left winger to start, maybe with Trent Frederic as the third line centre with Matthew Savoie on right wing.
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We still see Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, coming off his dislocated wrist, playing with McDavid. It's who plays with Draisaitl. Maybe Mangiapane moves to the right side, and Howard gets a look on left wing there. But you can also bet that Czech forward David Tomasek, 29, who won the Swedish Hockey League scoring title, will be in the mix somewhere. He will get a shot with Leon or, at worst on the third line.
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