The Edmonton Oilers' acquisition of top prospect Ike Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning has sparked interest in comparing his potential to other players. Last year, the most comparable players who went on to success in the NHL were Jimmy Snuggerud, Matt Coronato, and Adam Gaudette. However, one year later, the question arises: who is the closest match for Howard's first year in the AHL? The article delves into this question, analyzing Howard's performance and comparing it to his contemporaries.
Howard, 21, had a successful season with the AHL Bakersfield Condors, scoring the top goals per game among qualified rookie forwards. The article compares Howard's AHL rookie numbers to those of Snuggerud, Coronato, and Gaudette in their 21-year-old seasons. While Howard started the season in the NHL, he struggled offensively. Coronato, on the other hand, saw NHL action and thrived in the AHL, scoring 24 goals in 77 games during the 2023-24 campaign. The author suggests that Howard may have another gear and could surpass Coronato's AHL numbers.
The article then shifts to the 2025-26 season, where Howard stands out as an outlier among 21-year-old AHL players. The comparable players from this season, such as Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Pavel Dorofeyev, fall short in terms of scoring and pedigree. The author emphasizes that Howard's natural talent and goal-scoring ability are unique, and he is unlikely to match the careers of Snuggerud, Lekkerimäki, or Dorofeyev. However, he predicts that Howard will have a more successful goal-scoring career than Gaudette and Samuel Fagemo.
The deployment of Howard is a key consideration. The author suggests that Howard's goal-scoring could be significantly boosted by playing with Oilers superstars Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid. Howard's ability to find the range often enough to be productive on a skill line makes him an ideal fit for the Oilers' needs. The article concludes by highlighting the encouraging comparables for Howard, while also acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his future success.
In summary, the article provides a detailed analysis of Howard's potential, comparing him to established players and considering his deployment within the Oilers' lineup. It offers a balanced perspective, acknowledging the positive aspects of Howard's talent while also recognizing the challenges and uncertainties surrounding his NHL career.
