The Edmonton Oilers are expected to recall winger Isaac Howard and award him with his NHL debut in Wednesday’s season opener, per Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic . Howard is the reigning Hobey Baker Award-winner as college hockey’s most valuable player. Howard was traded to the Oilers in exchange for center prospect Sam O’Reilly in July after not agreeing to terms on an end-of-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season.
Howard earned his MVP-recognition while standing as the star on the Big Ten championship-winning Michigan State Spartans. He was a true workhorse in East Lansing, filling the presence of a heavy play-driver, hard-hitter, and leading scorer. Wherever there was play going on, Howard seemed to be involved, and he worked to an impressive 26 goals