The Edmonton Oilers have not one, but two potential Calder Trophy contenders next season

It’s been a while since the Edmonton Oilers have had any presence in the Calder Trophy race for rookie of the year in the NHL. In fact, over the last 10 seasons, they have only had three players receive any Calder votes at all. Stuart Skinner, who finished second in 2022–23; Ethan Bear, who finished tenth in voting in 2019–20; and Connor McDavid, who finished third in 2015–16.

It comes as no surprise, really. This is not a team that has been drafting and developing high profile prospects over the past decade. And particularly in the past five years. So far, the only Oilers draft pick since 2020 to have played a single NHL game is Dylan Holloway.

Most of the other higher profile prospects the Oilers have had over the past decade, aside from the aforementioned Calder vote getters, had underwhelming or slower starts to their NHL careers, quickly removing themselves from contention for the award.

But this season, Edmonton could potentially add some names to this list. Both Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard are expected to be lineup regulars in 2025–26, and the two players are also projected to spend plenty of time in favourable situations in the top-six.

Let’s take a look at each player and what they might be able to do this season.

Matthew Savoie as a Calder Trophy candidate

Since being acquired via trade last offseason from the Buffalo Sabres, Savoie has been the top prospect in the Oilers’ pipeline, no doubts about it. He came into the organization with a high pedigree as the ninth overall pick in 2022 and was coming off of an eventful 2023–24 season. His Moose Jaw Warriors won the WHL Championship, helped along by Savoie’s 47 points in 23 regular season games and 24 points in 19 playoff games. He made an appearance at the World Junior Classic, tallying one point there. And he made his professional debuts in both the AHL and NHL, scoring five points in six AHL games while being held pointless in his one NHL game with the Sabres.

Savoie was in no position to need to be rushed into the NHL once arriving in Edmonton and that gave him a full season to play in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors. He had a highly successful rookie season in the AHL with 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games. Impressive from a smaller, 21-year-old forward. Savoie did make a few appearances with the Oilers, as well, getting his first NHL point, an assist, in four games.

With spots opening up on the wing following the departures of Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and Evander Kane, Savoie has an open path and a vote of confidence from the organization to play in the NHL and make an impact this coming season.

Early projections place him alongside Leon Draisaitl, which would be an incredible opportunity for him to tally up points. Savoie’s playstyle, being an intelligent player with strong transitional skills, awareness, and positioning, should translate well to the NHL and not be a hinderance on that line. He may not be as strong a finisher as the team would like, but lining up on the wing of the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner should negate that as a problem.

Savoie may be a dark horse to win this award, but the right situation and a hot streak could prove enough to win him some votes. Let’s not forget the stretch early in Kailer Yamamoto’s career that saw him put up 26 points in 27 games on Draisaitl’s wing.

The newcomer Isaac Howard quickly piling up accolades in an Oilers jersey

The trade for Isaac Howard is probably going to be the most exciting move of the offseason. Howard is immediately in contention with Savoie as the organization’s top prospect, and with him immediately signing his entry-level contract with the trade, we can assume that he will be planning to have a spot in the lineup on opening night. A young, speedy, scoring winger like Howard will be a fantastic fit for a variety of reasons.

With Savoie most commonly placed on Draisaitl’s line in projections, that leaves a possible landing spot for Howard to be all the way on the top line with Connor McDavid. It seems unlikely that the Oilers would want two smaller rookie wingers with Draisaitl. Howard could also find himself on the third line, with either Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Trent Frederic as likely centre options in that case.

Howard has had a rapid progression up the university hockey pedigree rankings. His first year of college hockey with the University of Minnesota looks unimpressive on paper, but his team went 16–20–1 while Howard’s 17 points in 25 games was still sixth on the team, only 11 behind the team leader.

After switching to the University of Michigan, he exploded. His second year, now in the Big-10, he led his team in scoring with 36 points in 36 games. And his third year of university hockey, in which he won the Hobey Baker Award, he potted 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games. This combined with seven goals and nine points in seven games at the World Junior Classic back in January.

Howard is one of the hottest prospects around, and he is excited and ready to join the NHL and the Edmonton Oilers for a chance to see his name on the scoresheet, hopefully early and often.

Who will they be competing against?

It will not be an easy path to winning the Calder Trophy, unfortunately, with plenty of high profile rookies poised to make a big impact this season.

Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens had an electric debut late last season and is only going to get better. Zayne Parekh of the Calgary Flames is one of the most anticipated and exciting prospects around, and will be looking to carry the momentum of offensive defenders winning this award after Lane Hutson won last season. Ryan Leonard of the Washington Capitals could be a dark horse candidate who is more than ready to be an impact player all over the ice. And, if they make the NHL this season, Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa could both be in contention for this award as well.