After the Oilers scratched the newly acquired Isaac Howard, debate was sparked amongst fans about how he's being used by coach Kris Knoblauch. The usage of newly acquired forward Isaac Howard is sparking debate among Oilers fans, who were excited when they picked him up from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The rights of Howard, who was taken by the Lightning with the 31st overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/oilers-analyst-advises-fans-to-lower-expectations-for-rookie-forwards-matt-savoie-and-isaac-howard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>were traded</a> to the Oilers for Sam O'Reilly. But he was named a healthy scratch for Edmonton's game today against the New Jersey Devils, and there's no telling whether he'll be in the lineup tomorrow against the Detroit Red Wings. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1979626091322147094'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Right now, the Oilers are still without forward Zach Hyman, who was hurt against the Dallas Stars in the spring while playing in the WCF. The Oilers went on to once again lose in the SCF against the Florida Panthers in a series many felt could have been different if Hyman was playing. <h3>Isaac Howard was named Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year</h3> While playing with the Michigan State Spartans, he was named Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Player of the Year after he had 52 points (26G, 26A) in 37 games. <a href='https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/603668/isaac-howard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>His scouting report</a> via Elite Prospects highlights his skating abilities and stickhandling. Right away, Howard's skating stands out. Pushes his knees past his toes, engaged his hips, and maintains his posture in tight, while deking, or on the backcheck. His top hand moves freely around his body, which he turns into incredible stickhandling displays. When handling, he's scanning. Adjusts body positioning to get pressure on his back, then uses hesitations and changes of pace to slip around the check. He's played in 4 games with the Oilers this year, but doesn't have a point.