Edmonton Oilers Top 20 Prospects: #2 and #1
A note about this countdown. To qualify, the player must be 25 or younger as of July 1 and cannot have played more than 50 NHL games. Players like Noah Philp and David Tomasek do not make it due to age. A player like Vasily Podkolzin does not make it due to number of NHL games played.
In this last post on Oilers prospects for the summer of 2025, we cover the #2 and #1 prospects. There are a lot of similarities in these players. Neither was drafted by the Oilers. Each of them is a high scoring winger who were traded for centers either in the NHL or in the Oilers system. Most importantly, both of them are likely to play very important minutes for the Edmonton Oilers this season while on entry level contracts. While their contributions on the ice might be substantial, their contract situations may have an even bigger impact. In any event, you know who these two are, so let’s get to the tape and see what they can do on the ice.
#2: Ike Howard
D.O.B. - March 30, 2004
Draft: 1st round 2022 (EDM)
Shoots: Left
Position: Wing
Vitals: 5’11” 190 pounds
2024 Regular Season Statistics - Michigan State (NCAA)
26-26-52 in 37 games or 1.41 points per game
I will say this, Ike Howard got Oiler fans quite excited for hockey despite it being mid-July. The new #2 Oilers prospect came to the team in a trade of top end prospects with Sam O’Reilly going to Tampa Bay. There had been rumble for some time that Howard would not sign with Tampa Bay because Tampa Bay has slow played his track to the NHL. Whether that was the reason or not, the Edmonton Oilers ended up the benefactor of the situation albeit at a very steep price. Right shot centers do not grow on trees.
Nevertheless, Howard comes to Edmonton with an instant opportunity to play in the top nine. Some of that is because the Oilers lack scoring punch on the wings and some of it is that Ike Howard is a very skilled hockey player.
As I outlined in a feature on Howard, his speed is what people will be drawn to instantly. For me, however, it is his shot. I think Howard has a chance to score from distance in the NHL. His release is incredibly deceptive. It comes quickly and without much tell of what is happening. In addition, his ability to change the blade angle quickly allows him to get shots through to the net at a very high rate of success.
I think there is a high degree of probability that Howard can score in the NHL from the outside. This would make him a dual threat style of attacker. Why? Because his puck handling at pace is sublime.
Howard will be an offensive threat in the NHL on any line he plays on for certain. What is less certain is his defensive game. I’ve seen a lot of commentary about Howard playing as high as the first line. What I would encourage people to do is review old clips of when Dylan Holloway came up and tried to play with Leon Draisaitl. It is not easy to play defence at the NHL level and especially against top tier competition. Every little mistake made can be magnified in the blink of an eye. As a comparison, I think Holloway had a better sense of defence coming out of collegiate hockey than Howard. Take a look at these clips.
In the first one, Howard is flipped to the right wing for a face-off play. However, his position after the face-off is left wing. As the puck goes back up the ice, Michigan State is in pretty good shape to defend with two players marked. The remaining player can be defended by the net front defenceman. Howard leaks down low and I am not really opposed to this, but ideally he needs to play into the slot here to mark the weakside. What he cannot do is cheat up the ice leaving his man free. He does and it nearly costs his team.
Here is another instance that does cost his team. Howard comes back up the ice at a very slow pace. The puck goes into his zone on his side of the ice. He needs to get to the wall to be available for the defenceman. He is beat there by the opposition and it results in a goal against.
Here is one final play where Howard cheats for offence instead of making the harder play and ensuring the puck gets out of the zone.
These plays happen quite often to Howard in each game. This will not stand up at the professional level. He will find himself on the bench very quickly and perhaps even in the AHL should it happen to frequently.
I’ve seen a lot of hype around this player. Some commentators referring to players like Jimmy Snuggerud as a template for why Howard can have success. I saw Snuggerud a fair amount. He was not good. He was very raw and defensively got chewed up. Again, I encourage people to temper expectations. The last collegiate forward of prominence for the Oilers was Dylan Holloway. He probably is still spending those frequently flyer miles from going back and forth between Edmonton and Bakersfield.
For me, success will be Howard contributing in the top nine and taking positive steps defensively. Assuming Adam Henrique is still here, I would love to see Howard on a third line with him. Henrique is a tremendous defensive forward. He can cover for Howard and also mentor him on the ways of NHL defensive play. That may seem like a modest goal, but I think given his offensive tools, Howard could make an impact anywhere in this line-up. So why not start in a less pressurized environment.
#1: Matthew Savoie
D.O.B. - January 1, 2004
Draft: 1st round 2022 (BUF)
Shoots: Right
Position: Wing
Vitals: 5’9” 179 pounds
2024 Regular Season Statistics - Bakersfield (AHL)
19-35-54 in 66 games or 0.82 points per game
If you asked me to identify a player as the template of how to develop them for the NHL game it would be Matthew Savoie. I thought the Oilers and Condors staffs were excellent in their approach to Savoie all year. Savoie was given strong linemates game in and game out. He played in every situation possible. When he made mistakes, he was sent back out on the ice. How did Savoie reward them? By having a brilliant AHL season that will almost assuredly be the last time he plays in that league.
Savoie is the perfect fit for the top six in Edmonton. He’s a high skilled winger who despite his smaller size wins puck battles everywhere.
Here is a display of his work on the wall. You don’t see the goal, but trust me James Hamblin scores after great work by Savoie.
Savoie has an ability to work on the walls because he gets underneath bigger players and he rarely stops moving his feet. This will come in very handy in the NHL.
Savoie is also a very smart player. The Condors had him player center a fair bit during a period of heavy injuries and it worked well because he knows the game well. Watch this clip to see his understanding of the play and where to be to impact it. He gets into good spots. Remains disciplined until he sees an opportunity and then uses his skill to create a goal.
Watch this next one, which is in the neutral zone. Savoie is always working to get above the puck to ensure there is no opportunities against.
Finally, Savoie’s work in the defensive zone is just as solid. Again, he’s patient. Can be physical when necessary. Then uses his skating and puck skills to help exit the zone.
I heard Oilers head coach, Kris Knoblauch, talking about Savoie’s penalty kill effectiveness and I was happy to hear it. This was an area where Savoie really developed over the season. His speed allows him to create a lot of pressure on puck carriers.
Although this clip is at 5v5, Savoie will absolutely sell out on the shot block as well which makes him even more valuable on the penalty kill.
Now I know this review has been heavy on Savoie’s skills off the puck. However, this is important. How he plays away from the puck will be the key part of his development. That said, Savoie is highly skilled offensive player.
There is no question this part of his game translates to the NHL. Savoie’s pucks skills match his analytical processing capability and that allows him to make very quick plays. This will allow him to play with McDavid or Draisaitl without question. That is the reason Savoie is the Edmonton Oilers #1 prospect.
I have seen a lot of online commentary about who is the better prospect. I honestly do not care. I think both have the potential to be top six players for the Oilers for a decade. For now, if each can play in the top nine on entry level contracts it is a massive win for the Edmonton Oilers. One that will certainly help them in their ultimate quest for Lord Stanley.
That is it for the 2025 Edmonton Oilers prospect review. If you have any comments, please leave them below. If you know anyone who might like this content, please share. Thanks everyone.
GREAT ARTICLES……
Thanks Bruce. As others have said, great series. And, excellent summer hockey reading!