Isaac Howard is making it increasingly difficult to ignore what he’s doing in Bakersfield. Sent to the AHL so he could get more ice time and produce offensively, he has done that in kicking. The Edmonton Oilers prospect recorded a natural hat trick on Saturday night to lead the Condors to a 3-2 victory, another strong statement in a series of solid performances.
After fourteen games with Bakersfield, Howard now has nine goals and 19 points, good for a 1.36 points per game pace as a rookie. He is also at plus-13. Edmonton had hoped he would fit in well in the top nine, maybe even the top six. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the minutes for more than a shift or two in a game or two to start the season. Because he often played less than eight minutes a night, it was difficult for him to find a rhythm.
His raw skill was never in question. The debate was always about timing and whether he would get the reps he needed to get going.
Going to the AHL was the right decision for Howard
Howard has benefited from getting extra AHL minutes. The decisions seem to be paying off, and at some point the hope is that 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’s not getting that in Edmonton right now, so calling him up seems unlikely.
Some fans may wonder why the Oilers didn’t recall Howard given his red-hot run in Bakersfield. Look no further than Quinn Hutson’s recent stay in Edmonton, and you’ll see why. Edmonton relies heavily on the top six and gets Jack Roslovic back on Sunday. Hutson scored a goal in his few games, but did so while receiving almost no minutes. His high was 9:17 on Saturday. That’s not the right play for Howard.
For a first-year pro, there’s real value in playing a lot, making power plays and building confidence away from the NHL spotlight.
The Oilers have seen this movie before. Letting young players cook in the minors is finally starting to pay off with a player like Matthew Savoie, and there’s no reason to rush Howard before he’s fully ready to contribute in a meaningful role.
If this production goes ahead, the call will come.
Next: Oilers get Roslovic boost in lineup ahead of Golden Knights game
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