Isaac Howard found out from Kris Knoblauch that he’s going back to Bakersfield right before Game 1.
This timing is very important. The Oilers have finished trying out different players, and sending Howard back shows they are focusing on experienced players and reliable backups for the playoffs.
Howard had just been called up on April 12 because the Oilers needed more players for the front line. At that time, they said he had scored 22 goals and made 25 assists in 45 games with the Condors in the AHL.
This call-up seemed like a chance for Howard to stay longer in the NHL. But it turned out to be a quick opportunity before Knoblauch made the usual cuts teams do after the regular season ends.
CBS Sports reported that Howard played 1 game during this last call-up and didn’t score any points. This made it easier for Edmonton, especially with Game 1 coming up.
It also fits into the bigger picture of Howard’s season. In 29 NHL games, he ended up with 2 goals, 3 assists, 36 shots, and 7 hits. This was good experience for him as a first-year player, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Edmonton just showed where Howard fits in.
This isn’t a failure in the grand scheme of things. It’s just a reality of the roster. Edmonton appreciates Howard but clearly feels he still needs some work before he joins the team when the playoffs begin.
This is important because Howard did play real NHL games this season. He wasn’t just there for practice or as a backup. He participated in actual games, and the Oilers gained a better understanding of his offensive abilities at the NHL level.
Now the advantage shifts back to Bakersfield. Howard is back as one of the Condors’ top forwards, which is just right for a young player who needs to grow when the NHL team doesn’t have space for him anymore.
For Knoblauch, the point is clear. Edmonton is focused on winning playoff games, not just helping players grow, and that means players on the fringe can quickly drop out of the NHL picture once injured regulars and reliable team members return.
This season, Howard did enough to keep himself in the mix for next fall. A winger who scores 22 goals in 45 games in the AHL and still gets a chance in the NHL during his first professional year is definitely not being overlooked.
But right now, this move is about timing and pecking order. Edmonton wanted one more look, got it, and then sent him where he can still play instead of sitting in a press box during the biggest games on the calendar.
So the takeaway is sharp. Howard is still part of Edmonton’s future, just not its opening playoff card. Right before Game 1, the Oilers made that crystal clear by loaning him back to the Condors.
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