NHL Rumors: Oilers Expected To Trade Veteran Forward After Isaac Howard Deal

Thursday, July 10, 2025
Michigan State forward Isaac Howard shoots the puck during 2025 game.

The Edmonton Oilers appear to be setting up their next move after acquiring NCAA standout Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Oilers Likely to Trade Janmark After Adding Isaac Howard

The Hobey Baker winner inked a three-year entry-level deal with Edmonton, indicating both a youth movement and a shift in the forward depth chart. With Howard’s arrival, insiders believe veteran forward Mattias Janmark could be the odd man out.

Cap space and performance push Janmark to the edge

Janmark, 32, carries a $1.45 million cap hit for two more seasons and is coming off a disappointing campaign where he tallied just two goals in 80 regular-season games. While head coach Kris Knoblauch values Janmark’s penalty-killing and positional flexibility, the Oilers are in need of cap relief and greater offensive production from their bottom-six forwards. 

Edmonton Journal’s David Staples and Oilers insider Bob Stauffer both pointed to Janmark as the most logical player to move, a solid, defensively sound veteran whose salary is now a luxury rather than a necessity.

Noah Philp, younger depth make Janmark expendable

The emergence of Noah Philp, combined with younger options like Vasily Podkolzin and new signing Curtis Lazar, gives GM Stan Bowman options to replace Janmark at a lower cost. 

Philp, in particular, impressed in limited action last season and makes just $775,000, nearly half of Janmark’s salary. Shedding Janmark’s deal now could give the Oilers up to $1.5 million in cap flexibility heading into the 2025-26 season and allow for more deadline maneuvering, including the pursuit of a goaltender.

Photo Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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