When it comes to top prospects, it’s no surprise that the Edmonton Oilers don’t have any.

After all, they have few opportunities to draft such players, given their late-round picks — if they have any at all. Such is life for a team who’s Cup or bust every year.

While Matt Savoie graduated out of Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis’ top 75 NHL-affiliated prospects list, one Oilers prospect fell off the list entirely: Isaac Howard. Listed No. 59 on Ellis’ 2025 list, the winger was spoken highly of coming off a Hobey Baker Award as the top college hockey player, while also winning a World Championship gold with the USA.

Howard’s drop off the list isn’t so much about him as a prospect, more so about the next emerging crop of players, Ellis told me.

“Howard dropping off the list didn’t necessarily mean he massively fell as a prospect and more that there were just a bunch of other players who joined the market through the most recent draft, among other reasons,” he said.

Howard had a good season last year after turning pro. Acquired in exchange for Sam O’Reilly, Howard started the year with the Oilers and would go on to play 29 games, scoring two goals and five points. While he struggled to........

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