The Edmonton Oilers are going to let the kid play.
Isaac "Ike" Howard is coming to the big leagues.
Howard is slated to be recalled for his NHL debut in Wednesday's season opener against the Calgary Flames, according to The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman.
Ike is well known because he won the Hobey Baker Award last season in college hockey, given to the top player in the country.
He played for Michigan State, putting up 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games last season.
Howard was initially drafted 31st overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
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He couldn't agree to a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, and so they traded his rights to the Oilers in exchange for center prospect Sam O'Reilly.
Howard played in six preseason games for the Oilers. He put up one goal and three assists.
At this point, Howard is a left-winger. Other players in that spot for Edmonton include Andrew Mangiapane and Vasily Podkolzin.
Howard isn't guaranteed to stick at the NHL level all season, but the call-up for the first game suggests the Oilers really want to see what he can do.
Edmonton has lost in each of the last two Stanley Cup Finals, so finding new life could be the difference that it takes to clear the final hurdle. Howard might not be that guy, but maybe he could be. It's worth trying to find out.
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