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Judge Approves House Settlement; Nebraska AD Troy Dannen Issues Statement

A new era of collegiate athletics is here. A California judge Friday evening approved the House v. NCAA settlement, bringing forth revenue sharing and roster limits, among other changes to collegiate athletics. In the wake of the decision, multiple entities released statements. “Today’s decision in the House case represents the latest step in the ongoing […]

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A new era of collegiate athletics is here.

A California judge Friday evening approved the House v. NCAA settlement, bringing forth revenue sharing and roster limits, among other changes to collegiate athletics. In the wake of the decision, multiple entities released statements.

“Today’s decision in the House case represents the latest step in the ongoing evolution of college athletics,” Nebraska athletics director Troy Dannen said. “Nebraska has spent the past year planning for this resolution and the ensuing changes ahead.

“We are supportive of this settlement and fully committed to participating in revenue sharing with our student-athletes to best position Nebraska for future competition success.”

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and athletic director Troy Dannen walk off the field after defeating Wisconsin.

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and athletic director Troy Dannen walk off the field after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

“We look forward to implementing this historic settlement designed to bring stability, integrity and competitive balance to college athletics while increasing both scholarship and revenue opportunities for student-athletes in all sports,” said Tony Petitti, commissioner of the Big Ten Conference.

“Approving the agreement reached by the NCAA, the defendant conferences and student-athletes in the settlement opens a pathway to begin stabilizing college sports,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a letter. “This new framework that enables schools to provide direct financial benefits to student-athletes and establishes clear and specific rules to regulate third-party NIL agreements marks a huge step forward for college sports.”

The financial portion of the settlement revolves around two main parties: former athletes to receive back pay and the current and future athletes to receive revenue-sharing. The former athletes will $2.8 billion in back pay from lost name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation.

Memorial STadium

Memorial Stadium / Nebraska Athletics

Current and future athletes will receive a certain amount of revenue from schools. Each institution will be allowed to share a set amount – taking 22% of the average of certain power school revenues – with the athletes. In the first year, that cap amount is $20.5 million.

It is uncertain how Nebraska intends to distribute that $20.5 million. Most schools are likely to spend the majority on football and men’s basketball, with less than 10% remaining for the other teams on campus.

The settlement also includes roster limits. While football will have a 105-player roster limit in the future, Judge Claudia Wilken was swayed during arguments to allow for the grandfathering-in of athletes on existing teams or those who have been cut this year, as well as recruits who enrolled on the promise of a roster spot.

Schools will also be allowed to fund scholarships up to the roster limit. For football, that means an increase from 85 scholarships to potentially as many as 105.

Nebraska Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen, football coach Matt Rhule, and Matt Davison.

Mar 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen, football coach Matt Rhule, and Matt Davison meet before the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. / Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Athletes can still receive additional financial deals through collectives, such as 1890. The money is now overseen by a new non-NCAA enforcement entity. Any third-party NIL deals of at least $600 must be approved by a Deloitte-run NIL clearinghouse called NIL Go.

Further legal fallout from the settlement and resulting changes to collegiate athletics is expected.

Future roster limits for sponsored sports at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln are listed below, with the current scholarship limit and change in allowable scholarships.

Sport

Current

New

Change

Baseball

11.7

34

+22.3

Basketball (M)

13

15

+2

Basketball (W)

15

15

0

Bowling (W)

5

11

+6

Cross Country (M)

5

17

+12

Cross Country (W)

6

17

+11

Golf (M)

4.5

9

+4.5

Golf (W)

6

9

+3

Gymnastics (M)

6.3

20

+13.7

Gymnastics (W)

12

20

+8

Football

85

105

+20

Rifle

3.6

12

+8.4

Soccer (W)

14

28

+14

Softball

12

25

+13

Swim (W)

14

30

+16

Tennis (M)

4.5

10

+5.5

Tennis (W)

8

10

+2

Track (M)

12.6

45

+35.4

Track (W)

18

45

27

Volleyball (W)

12

18

+6

Wrestling (M)

10

30

20

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.



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Deion Sanders’ NIL proposal is nothing but a thinly veiled excuse

During Big 12 media day, Colorado football coach Deion Sanders repeated a narrative that’s dominated college football recently surrounding NIL. Essentially, he said the teams that spend the most money end up in the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN’s X account. While that’s true for most of the teams in the field, Arizona State’s […]

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During Big 12 media day, Colorado football coach Deion Sanders repeated a narrative that’s dominated college football recently surrounding NIL. Essentially, he said the teams that spend the most money end up in the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN’s X account. While that’s true for most of the teams in the field, Arizona State’s NIL budget wasn’t nearly as hefty as Colorado’s last year. 

Yet the Sun Devils received a first-round bye while the Buffaloes got blown out in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. This is an interesting perspective from a coach who has heavily benefited from both NIL funds and the transfer portal. Last season, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, the top two players on Colorado’s roster, had a combined NIL valuation over $11 million. 

For context, according to a USA Today story in Nittany Lions Wire, Arizona State ranked ninth in the CFP last season for NIL funds at $10.6 million. The irony of Sanders saying this and still finishing behind a team with far fewer funds is what makes it sound like an excuse. 

NIL doesn’t win games, but it does put a team in a competitive spot

I guess the conversation around NIL is destined to change with revenue sharing now part of college athletics. Programs will be allowed to keep their NIL collectives if they choose, though teams like Colorado have already jettisoned their collectives to focus solely on revenue sharing. Either way, the amount of money a team has to spend doesn’t directly correlate to that team actually winning at the highest level 

While it gives teams access to the best players, it doesn’t actually play the games. Colorado found that out when they came up short of a College Football Playoff bid, losing games they shouldn’t have lost. They needed to beat Kansas, of all teams, to reach the Big 12 championship game and couldn’t do it. NIL (and family ties) helped the Buffs have the Heisman winner and one of the top quarterbacks in college football last year, but it didn’t get them over the hump.

You mean to tell me Sanders was able to poach Julian Lewis from USC simply because of the appeal of Boulder, CO? Yeah, I doubt that. Colorado was able to provide the money Lewis was interested in while also proving a better opportunity for him to play — though the latter usually gets left out of NIL discussions. 

If you look at last year’s CFP field, SMU, Arizona State and Boise State all spent less than Colorado did, but that didn’t stop them from making the field. NIL has changed the recruiting game, but it doesn’t — and probably never will — directly correlate with winning national championships. 



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Nashville Predators backed college hockey program, Tennessee State, delays start of inaugural season

The first ice hockey program at a Historically Black College and University will be put on ice for another year. The Tennessean reported on Tuesday that Tennessee State University’s men’s ice hockey program, which was expected to play its inaugural season this fall, will not play. It aims to compete in its first NCAA Division […]

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The first ice hockey program at a Historically Black College and University will be put on ice for another year.

The Tennessean reported on Tuesday that Tennessee State University’s men’s ice hockey program, which was expected to play its inaugural season this fall, will not play. It aims to compete in its first NCAA Division I season during the 2026-27 athletic year.

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According to The Tennessean, a lack of facilities and fundraising have been contributing factors to another delayed season.

The Nashville Predators have partnered with Tennessee State to help establish the program, offering their facilities, and Predators CEO Sean Henry is helping to fundraise for the program.

“TSU had been a great partner of the Predators for some time, and we are excited to help them work toward the goal of becoming the first HBCU to field a NCAA Division I college hockey team,” Henry said following TSU’s announcement back in 2023 to establish an ice hockey program.

“President Glover and Dr. Allen are visionaries in their respective positions and should be lauded for continuing to build Nashville into the ultimate hockey town.”

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The team’s conception was announced at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville in an effort to promote diversity and inclusion within the sport.

TSU was initially expected to take the ice for the 2024-25 season as a club team and achieve NCAA Division I status by the 2026-27 season. However, the university changed its plans, intending to jump straight to Division I for the 2025-26 season.

Alongside the Predators, TSU has also been backed and supported by the NHL, NHL Players Association, and College Hockey Inc.

The NHL has also sponsored Arizona State and Augustana University (South Dakota) in successful efforts to create NCAA Division I ice hockey programs.

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“We appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Nashville Predators, which has played a pivotal role in our decision to pursue this historic undertaking, of starting an ice hockey program at TSU, and the first for an HBCU,” TSU President Glenda Glover said in a press release following the 2023 announcement.

TSU delays the start of its inaugural season despite having a head coach and an entire roster of players.

Duanté Abercrombie was hired as the team’s head coach in April 2024 and will be the first Black male head coach of an NCAA Division I ice hockey team. Abercrombie has been involved with multiple NHL teams, including the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Arizona Coyotes.

He also served as a coach at Stevenson University, a NCAA Division III program in Maryland.

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TSU still has 13 players rostered for the 2025-26 season, two commitments for the 2026-27 season and one commitment for the 2027-28 season.

It has no goalies roster as its two prior goalie commitments, Johnny Hicks and Andrew Ballantyne, decommitted.

Hicks committed to Denver (NCAA) and Ballantyne to Ontario Tech (USports).

Since the news was broken on Tuesday, TSU has not made a formal announcement on the status of the team.

Xavier Abel, the first player to join TSU’s hockey team, poses for a portrait at the Gentry Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 21, 2024. TSU is the first HBCU to offer ice hockey. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Xavier Abel, the first player to join TSU’s hockey team, poses for a portrait at the Gentry Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 21, 2024. TSU is the first HBCU to offer ice hockey. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Forwards

Xavier Abel – 5’10 – 170 pounds – 24 years old – Drury University (ACHA-DII)

Cole Bishop – 6’2 – 214 pounds – 20 years old – Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)

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Ridge Dawson – 5’8 – 154 pounds – 21 years old – Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL)

Marcus Fechko – 5’9 – 150 pounds – 19 years old – Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL)

Trey Fechko – 6’1 – 192 pounds – 21 years old – Janesville Jets (NAHL)

Stephen Kirkpatrick – 5’9 – 161 pounds – 21 years old – Spruce Goose Saints (BCHL)

Greye Rampton – 6’2 – 181 pounds – 20 years old – Langley Rivermen (BCHL)

Defensemen 

Trent Ballentyne – 6’3 – 183 pounds – 21 years old – Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)

Kaycee Coyle – 6’0 – 187 pounds – 21 years old – Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)

Odie Ford – 6’3 – 209 pounds – 21 years old – New Jersey Jr. Titans (NAHL)

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Emerson Miller – 6’1 – 201 pounds – 21 years old – Northeast Generals (NAHL)

Sid McNeill – 5’7 – 146 pounds – 21 years old – Langley Rivermen (BCHL); Committed to Mayville (ACHA) for 2025-26 season

Ocean Fancy – 6’1 – 185 pounds – 21 years old – Maine Nordiques (NAHL)

Grady Hoffman – 6’0 – 185 pounds – 20 years old – 2026-27 commitment; Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)

Jadon Iygoun – 6’1 – 181 pounds – 19 years old – 2026-27 commitment; Spruce Grove Saints (BCHL)

Aidan Gray – 5’10 – 165 pounds – 16 years old – 2027-28 commitment; Little Cesars 16U AAA



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Flyers odds and ends: The Phantoms have a coach, the NHL has a CBA

The Phantoms have their next head coach.  John Snowden is being promoted up from assistant coach over in Lehigh Valley to run the whole AHL bench, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel confirmed. Snowden was on the ice during Flyers development camp in Voorhees last week, directing the organization’s prospects through various drills.  He arrived to […]

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The Phantoms have their next head coach. 

John Snowden is being promoted up from assistant coach over in Lehigh Valley to run the whole AHL bench, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel confirmed.

Snowden was on the ice during Flyers development camp in Voorhees last week, directing the organization’s prospects through various drills. 

He arrived to the Phantoms in the summer of 2023, after a previous two-year AHL stint as an assistant coach for the Toronto Marlies, and he had a run in the ECHL that saw him guide the Newfoundland Growlers to a Kelly Cup championship in 2019 as their head coach before that.

Snowden also crossed paths with Riley Armstrong, the Flyers’ current director of player development, along the way as both were working through the ECHL coaching ranks. 

“Having him here and his mind for development, which is a big part of what we’re going to do with the Phantoms, it helps me out a ton,” Armstrong said during development camp last Wednesday. “And then on the other side, I help him out a ton because we think the game the same way.”

And with several notable Flyers prospects already with the Phantoms – like Alex Bump, Hunter McDonald, and Carson Bjarnason – and more expected to be on the way – Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey, and maybe Jett Luchanko toward the end of next season if he goes back to juniors – the emphasis on development appeared key. 

Continuity, too, as Snowden will be taking over directly for Ian Laperrière, who moved into an advisory role for the Flyers back in May.

Terrence Wallin, who has served as head coach for the ECHL’s Maine Mariners since 2022, will also be joining the Phantoms as one of Snowden’s assistant coaches, again per Spiegel at The Inquirer.

Straight to the point

There won’t be any sweating over the possibility of a lockout again. 

The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have ratified a four-year collective bargaining agreement that will last through the 2029-30 season, both parties announced on Tuesday.

The league and the NHLPA said that the new CBA’s Memorandum of Understanding will be posted publicly at a later date, but Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan over at ESPN were able to get a glimpse into the changes that will be on the way soon.

You can read their full report HERE, but as it pertains to Flyers fans, here were the standouts:

• Max contracts will be cut down from their current eight-year limit. A re-signing player can be offered seven years, while a free agent will only be able to get a total of six.
• The minimum for NHL salaries will increase.
• The regular season will bump up to 84 games and shorten the preseason.
• Draft rights will be standardized to expire when a player turns 22 years old. 
• Olympic participation for NHL players is cleared to run through 2030.

There are other interesting bits, like the cleanup of a long-term injured reserve loophole where stashed salaries didn’t count in the playoffs (they will now), but unless the Flyers make it and Ryan Ellis can suddenly skate again, they more than likely won’t have to worry about that. 

That one’s really for the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights, who each had key and expensive players who were out long-term conveniently ready to play again once it was playoff time.

Big picture, though, no lockout threat anywhere on the horizon for the NHL, which is a pretty major victory compared to 2012 and all of 2004-05.

A development gamechanger

Gavin McKenna, the consensus. No. 1 pick for next year’s NHL Draft, announced his commitment to play college hockey at Penn State for this coming season.

The 17-year-old left wing prospect has spent the past two seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the junior Western Hockey League, where he put up a staggering 41 goals and 129 points through 56 games for the 2023-24 campaign. 

But instead of staying on the Canadian Junior track approaching his 2026 draft eligibility, McKenna is instead leaving to face older, and tougher, competition in the NCAA, which also came with a pretty hefty NIL money offer from Penn State, per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. 

McKenna’s commitment to Penn State marks a huge victory for the NCAA and college hockey at large, which now has a clear-cut superstar, even if only for a year, and signals a massive shift in the amateur hockey landscape. 

Before, draft prospects would usually stay in their already set lane up until their name gets called in the summer. Canadian Junior prospects would stay in their league, college players would run through their scholarships, and overseas skaters and goalies would follow their respective development pipelines back in their home country. 

There have been unique cases, like how Auston Matthews played professionally in Switzerland before the Toronto Maple Leafs took him first overall in 2016, but those were exceptions, not the rule. 

Now, though? Colleges, mainly the football ones, have some serious cash to throw around thanks to NIL, and that drastically changes the options available to the on-the-rise names in the sport. 

McKenna is the latest, and biggest example, but keep an eye out for Porter Martone.

The Flyers’ sixth overall pick in the draft late last month said during development camp that his goal is to crack the team’s opening night roster, but he said that in response to a question about whether he considered returning to Brampton in juniors for this coming season or making the jump over to college. 

Martone could make the team out of camp, but the likelihood is that he’ll need more development time, and to that end, here’s what Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said at the end of dev camp on Sunday about that looming decision (as published on Tuesday):

“Martone obviously got all kinds of offers. He wants to play in the NHL, and that’s a discussion we’ll have to have with his agent. As much as we want him to play, we just gotta make sure we do what’s best for him. 

“We’ll figure that out here in the coming weeks and see what he wants to do, his people, his family, and go from there.”

The game is changing, and fast.


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Gurska Named Assistant Men’s Ice Hockey Coach at Babson

Story Links BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College Boxer-Rice Head Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Jamie Rice ’90 announced the hiring of Michael Gurska as the program’s new full-time assistant coach on Wednesday afternoon.  Gurska comes to Babson after spending the last three seasons with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the […]

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BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College Boxer-Rice Head Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Jamie Rice ’90 announced the hiring of Michael Gurska as the program’s new full-time assistant coach on Wednesday afternoon. 

Gurska comes to Babson after spending the last three seasons with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the premier junior hockey league in the United States. Originally hired as the team’s director of operations prior the 2022-23 campaign, he was promoted to an assistant coach and the director of player development ahead of the 2023-24 season. 

The Steel had three players selected in last month’s National Hockey League (NHL) Draft and have had 14 players picked during Gurska’s three-year tenure. Additionally, 24 players from Chicago’s 2024-25 squad earned Division I scholarships. 

During Gurska’s three years with the Steel, the organization made a pair of USHL playoff appearances and advanced to the conference final in 2023.

We are excited to welcome Michael to Babson,” said Rice. “Michael has a tremendous background as a player in his experiences and success at Wilkes, in junior hockey and at the prep school level.  His pathway is very similar to the route our current players and our recruits navigate.  

“As a young coach, Michael has proven himself in player development and recruiting. Coming from the Chicago Steel he has been coaching and competing against the best amateur players in the country. His passion for coaching was immediately evident when we began the process of finding our new assistant.

“Michael will be a great asset to our entire Babson hockey program as we begin our newest chapter in the LEC this season.”

A native of Revere, Mass., Gurska joined the coaching ranks following a decorated career as a defenseman at Wilkes University from 2018-22. A member of the first team in program history, he earned All-United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) honors in both 2020 and 2022, and was a American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-America East second-team selection in 2020. 

Gurska produced 12 goals and 63 assists for 75 points in 92 career games and ranks first in program history among defensemen in scoring. A three-time captain, he helped the Colonels reach the UCHC Tournament final for the first time in 2020 and again as a senior in 2022 while setting a single-season program record with 20 wins. 

Following his senior season, Gurska played nine games for the Birmingham Bulls in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) producing a goal and four assists for five points. 

In addition to his coaching experience, Gurska has worked Clear Sight Analytics breaking down NHL games since 2016. 

“I’m incredibly honored to join coach Rice and the Babson hockey program,” commented Gurska. “Babson’s tradition of excellence on the ice, in the classroom, and through its strong hockey alumni network makes this a truly special opportunity. Having played Division III athletics, I’m excited to use my experiences to contribute to the program’s continued success and to support the development of our student-athletes as both players and people. I look forward to working with the coaching staff and being part of such a proud and passionate hockey community.”

 



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Lightning trade Hobey Baker winner Howard to Oilers

Isaac Howard, who won the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top men’s player in NCAA ice hockey, was traded to the Edmonton Oilers by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday for Sam O’Reilly. Howard then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Edmonton. The 21-year-old forward had 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in […]

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Isaac Howard, who won the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top men’s player in NCAA ice hockey, was traded to the Edmonton Oilers by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday for Sam O’Reilly.

Howard then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Edmonton.

The 21-year-old forward had 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games last season, his second at Michigan State University after beginning his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He was selected by the Lightning in the first round (No. 31) of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Howard said after winning the Hobey Baker that his plans were to return to Michigan State for his senior season.

“I want to win a national championship. I didn’t play to win a Hobey,” he said. “At the end of the day, I want to win a national championship. I think we’re going to have the group to do it. It comes down to the tournament at the end of the year. We’ve just got to be ready and make sure we don’t leave anything on the table.”

O’Reilly had 71 points (28 goals, 43 assists) in 62 games for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season. The 19-year-old forward was selected by the Oilers in the first round (No. 32) of the 2024 NHL Draft.



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Edmonton Oilers Acquire Hobey Baker Winner Isaac Howard: What To Know

The reigning Hobey Baker Award winner will not be returning to school after all. Would-be Michigan State senior forward Isaac Howard had his rights traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Edmonton Oilers and signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Western Conference champions. The Bolts acquired 2024 first-round pick Sam O’Reilly from the […]

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The reigning Hobey Baker Award winner will not be returning to school after all. Would-be Michigan State senior forward Isaac Howard had his rights traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Edmonton Oilers and signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Western Conference champions.

The Bolts acquired 2024 first-round pick Sam O’Reilly from the Oilers in the deal.

Howard had an opportunity to turn pro with the Lightning at the end of last season, but talks broke down and the Spartans scorer opted not to sign and planned to return to school and ride out the year before becoming a free agent in August of 2026. That was unless the Lightning could find a suitable trade to a team that was able to get Howard closer to what he wanted in terms of opportunity at the NHL level next season.

The Oilers had a need for a cost-effective forward that could potentially play for them as early as next season. O’Reilly was not going to be that player, but Howard just might be.

This is the second straight summer that the Oilers made a trade for a higher-end prospect after acquiring former Sabres top-10 pick Matthew Savoie around the same time last year. 

According to reports, Howard’s contract will come with a $950,000 cap hit, which fits tidily under the salary cap after some of the key moves the Oilers made in the opening weeks of free agency, which included extensions for Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic, as well as signing Andrew Mangiapane as a free agent.

What The Oilers Are Getting In Isaac Howard

Howard is a 21-year-old left wing who is listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. He was selected 31st overall by Tampa Bay in 2022 after leading the U.S. National Under-18 Team in scoring at the National Team Development Program with 82 points.

He spent the following three years in the NCAA, first in an underwhelming freshman campaign at Minnesota Duluth before transferring to Michigan State where his offensive game flourished. 

As a sophomore, he averaged a point per game for the Spartans. Additionally, Howard was a key piece to Team USA’s gold-medal win at the 2024 World Junior Championship. He scored seven goals in seven games in that tournament, including two in the gold-medal game against Sweden.

Howard really made his mark as a junior, however. The Hudson, Wis., native led the NCAA in points per game with 1.41, finishing with 52 points in 37 games. He scored the game-winning goal in the Big Ten Championship game as the Spartans claimed their second straight conference title.

Among his accolades was the Hobey Baker, the Jim Johannson College Player of the Year from USA Hockey, Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Scoring Champion, Big Ten Tournament MVP, and first-team All-America honors.

Howard also on the roster for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship where the Americans claimed their first gold medal in the tournament since 1932. He appeared in four games, notching one assist in the tournament.

In terms of a scouting report, Howard is a quick, competitive player with higher-end hand skills, crafty offensive capabilities and high-end vision. He lacks the size NHL teams covet and his play away from the puck can be lacking at times, though I think he’s made significant improvements on that front over the last three years. He has gotten more aggressive in puck pursuit and while it will never be a strength at the NHL level, he has shown the commitment.

Howard is a legitimate goal-scoring threat with a quick release and an ability to get the shot off in a variety of ways. He also doesn’t shy away from getting to the middle of the ice for the best scoring opportunities and will challenge defenders one-on-one.

At the very top of his projection, he is likely a second-line scoring winger at the NHL level. The Oilers have the right kind of openings on their roster given their salary-cap situation and the high-end offensive stars that can insulate a young skill player like Howard.

He will still have to battle it out in camp, especially if Edmonton has a decision to make about how to handle both Howard and Savoie – very similar players – and where each of them slots.

I do think the Oilers get the player with the higher offensive ceiling between Howard and O’Reilly, but they’re also completely different players in terms of style of play and position. 

What The Lightning Get In Sam O’Reilly

Selected 32nd overall by the Oilers in the 2024 NHL Draft, O’Reilly is still just 19 years old and has a lot of runway left in his development. On top of that, he’s shown tremendous progression over two full seasons in the vaunted London Knights organization in the OHL.

O’Reilly was picked in the first round after a rookie season where he showed signs of being a talented two-way center with some scoring pop and a fair dose of grit. He was below a point-per-game player, but also showed excellent progress over the course of the year and played some of his best hockey in the playoffs as he helped the Knights win the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions.

The Knights repeated this season, this time with O’Reilly playing a more substantial role and only increasing both his scoring prowess and ability to play away from the puck. One of the better two-way centers in the OHL, O’Reilly produced 71 points in 62 games including 28 goals. He followed that up with 22 points during the OHL playoffs and had another five in the Memorial Cup tournament as the Knights claimed both championships.

O’Reilly is listed at 6-foot-1, 190 and has the versatility to fit a lot of needs. His defensive capabilities are advanced for his age and improved year over year. On top of that, he’s an abrasive forward who can make the game harder for his opponents without outright aggression. O’Reilly has solid hockey sense, excellent on-ice awareness and an understanding of time and space that makes him an effective all-around center.

At the top of his projection, he’s likely best suited as a third-line center with a chance to play tough matchups, kill penalties and be looked to as a secondary-scoring option.

The Lightning were in a pretty tough spot here with Howard publicly noting he wouldn’t sign. He used the leverage of being able to return for his senior season and becoming a free agent to ensure he could get the best possible opportunity, but the Lightning weren’t willing to carve out a ready-made spot for the Hobey winner.

As a result, there was a lot of concern Tampa wouldn’t get fair value in a deal. In the end, they got a younger prospect who may not project as much as a scorer as Howard is, but a forward that can absolutely fit a role on their team down the line. 

The alternative would have been letting Howard walk and taking a second-round compensatory pick where it would be unlikely to recoup the value lost on Howard.

I think both teams solved both some short-term and longer-term problems with this deal.

Where Does This Leave Michigan State?

Michigan State was going into the 2025-26 season as one of the favorites to win the NCAA tournament. They are bringing in one of the nation’s best recruiting classes and had hopes on landing Gavin McKenna. The same day Howard signed his deal, McKenna committed to Penn State.

The Spartans still have some incredible talent including one of the NCAA’s top goalies in Trey Augustine (DET) as well as first-round draft picks Charlie Stramel (MIN), Cayden Lindstrom (CBJ) and Ryker Lee (NSH) in the mix.

Michigan State knew where Howard stood and figured they’d lose him after last season anyway. If a trade happened and he got what he wanted from wherever acquired him, he was as good as gone. So losing McKenna might sting on the recruiting front, but I think the Spartans coaching staff always knew the Howard departure was a strong possibility.

This is a bit late in the process, but it happens at a time where Michigan State can potentially fill the hole with one of the higher-end CHL players that is considering whether or not to sign with a college hockey program following the draft. There are multiple players that could potentially plug the hole Howard is leaving and still allow the Spartans to be especially competitive next season. Multiple players are talking those options over with their drafting teams, their advisors and the prospective schools.

Replacing the Hobey Baker winner is much easier said than done, but I still view Michigan State as a credible threat to contend for the national championship with a lot of strong veteran players and the new blood they’re injecting this year.

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