Edmonton Oilers fans may one day question the trade that sent Sam O’Reilly to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for top prospect Isaac Howard, especially after O’Reilly’s standout Memorial Cup performance. The junior forward helped the Kitchener Rangers defeat the Everett Silvertips 6-2 in the Memorial Cup final on Sunday in Kelowna, B.C., finishing with one goal and three assists in the championship game. His strong all-around tournament earned him Memorial Cup MVP honors after he produced three goals and five assists in four games.
O’Reilly’s rise has added weight to the debate over the deal. The Toronto native is now part of a rare group of players who have captured a league’s most outstanding player award, a playoff MVP award and the Memorial Cup MVP in their careers. He became only the fourth player in history to do so, joining Brad Richards, Corey Perry and Mitch Marner. That distinction has helped fuel speculation about whether Edmonton gave up too early on a prospect who is still developing.
The 20-year-old forward and defenseman Jared Woolley were traded to Kitchener from London in January after helping the Knights win the 2025 Memorial Cup and the 2024 and 2025 OHL championships. O’Reilly was a key contributor on those title teams and has continued that momentum with the Rangers. He has already signed an entry-level contract and will compete for a roster spot with Tampa Bay at training camp next season, though he is also eligible to play in the AHL.
Howard, meanwhile, has already begun his NHL path with Edmonton. The 22-year-old appeared in 29 games for the Oilers this season after winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA hockey for 2024-25 while at Michigan State. He was drafted 31st overall by Tampa Bay in 2022 before being moved to Edmonton in the trade involving O’Reilly.
The comparison between the two prospects will likely remain a talking point for both fan bases. Howard offers immediate NHL experience and a strong college track record, while O’Reilly is making his case as one of the most accomplished young players in Canadian junior hockey. His Memorial Cup MVP performance and his place in a select historical group suggest the trade could be revisited for years to come, especially if his development continues at the same pace once he reaches the professional ranks.
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