Oilers Prospect Update: Isaac Howard’s impressive start in Bakersfield

In both clips, it is the Hutson-to-Howard connection producing a great chance. What I love about the route Howard takes is the fact that he starts at the boards and slowly creeps into the middle as Hutson pushes back the defence. Timing is everything in the NHL, and if Howard can continue to refine this area of his game, he will generate more than enough chances to make a difference. The former Tampa Bay Lightning selection has also shown he does not always need to be the sidekick. There have been plenty of instances where Howard showcases that he can push the pace as well. Now that the confidence is coming back, Howard has been excellent at stretching the defence and getting loose in transition. Below are two more clips, and in both instances, Howard has a step on the defence, which leads to excellent chances for himself.

In our four clips so far, Ike Howard has four shot attempts, and now you can see why it is surprising that he is under two shots per game, as he has been generating a ton of chances. However, Ike is not only generating opportunities with his shooting ability. The former Spartan is showing that he can continually create looks for his teammates. At the NHL level this year, I found his passing ability a bit underwhelming, especially under pressure.

This is one of the better Howard clips from his first four games. Howard notices Hutson has too much space available and lays a beautiful pass right into the wheelhouse of the former Boston University star. As you can tell, the connection is undeniable between the two former college studs. In the next clip, Howard hops on his horse, makes a beautiful pre-scan, and sends another perfect pass to Hutson for a high-danger chance.

Even defenceman Damien Carfagna is benefiting from Howard’s playmaking as he gets sprung on a partial breakaway from the dynamic winger. Ike lays out a perfect backhand saucer pass into open space to send him in.

You can tell the confidence is still there for Howard. One more thing I have been impressed with is his nonstop work ethic. The promising young forward seems to have come down to the Condors with the right attitude and continues to show strong effort in all three zones. In the final clip, it showcases the kind of confidence I have been talking about. Howard gives the defenceman a beautiful double move and gains a ton of space.

This is a clip I would continue to show the scoring winger. Howard pushes the defenceman back, hits the brakes, and makes another quick move, losing the opposition with ease. He is only four games deep into his AHL career, and you can already see the offensive power starting to come out. By game 15, we could be looking at a very good AHL player.

The Condors’ first line, since getting Howard, has been on a great streak of games. Before the second game of the back-to-back against the Reign, the line of Howard, Samanski, and Hutson was playing almost flawlessly in the offensive zone, with only the odd hiccup defensively. Ike Howard continues his AHL season on Saturday against the Henderson Silver Knights, and I expect that first line to stay intact.

But I could see a scenario where the coaching staff tries to get other guys going and mixes up the top six. All signs are pointing up for one of the Oilers’ top prospects, and with a Nuge return in sight, I can see Howard staying in the AHL for a while, where his confidence can continue to grow. Ike Howard has done everything and more that you could have asked of him in his young AHL career, and this should get Oilers fans excited.