Isaac Howard Out Week-to-Week After Taking Brutal Knee-on-Knee Hit

Isaac Howard is officially week-to-week after taking a brutal knee-on-knee hit, which is NHL coach speak for "he will be back somewhere between next Tuesday and the next solar eclipse."

The Edmonton Oilers forward caught the bad end of a collision with New York Islanders forward Emil Heineman just two minutes into Saturday's 4-0 win. Heineman earned a five-minute major and an early shower, while Howard logged a grand total of 30 seconds of ice time before needing help to the locker room.

"Mike Babcock said 'He’s going to be out a couple weeks, I think. But it’s nothing. It’s not a big deal.'"

Head coach Mike Babcock tried to play it cool, calling the injury "nothing" and "not a big deal," but losing a young depth piece still stings. The 2025 Hobey Baker winner has dressed in 13 games this year, putting up a goal and three points. That might not sound like MVP production, but he was already on pace to shatter his five-point rookie campaign.

Fortunately for Edmonton, they have the luxury of letting him heal at his own pace. The Oilers are currently sitting pretty at 11-2-2, leading the Pacific Division by four points over the Vegas Golden Knights. When you are banking points at that rate, you do not need to rush a young forward back onto the ice to save your season. Bettors looking at Edmonton's upcoming moneylines probably will not flinch at a bottom-six absence, but it does test the depth chart.

Howard will officially miss the end of the Oilers' current road trip, which wraps up Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. After that, Edmonton heads back to Alberta for a four-game homestand starting Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. Expect the training staff to take their time, because right now, the Oilers are cruising just fine without him.