BREAKING NEWS: Edmonton Oilers left wing Isaac Howard has been suspended from participating in all NHL activities due to being tested positive of..

The Edmonton Oilers were dealt a significant blow on Monday as the National Hockey League announced that **left wing Isaac Howard** has been **suspended indefinitely from all NHL activities** after testing positive for a **banned substance** under the league’s performance-enhancing drug (PED) policy.

The announcement came early Monday morning through an official statement from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. The league confirmed that the 21-year-old forward tested positive during a **routine, random drug screening** conducted in late September. While officials declined to specify the substance, multiple sources within the organization described it as being “consistent with a performance-enhancing category.”

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### **Oilers Release Statement of Disappointment**

In a carefully worded statement, the Edmonton Oilers organization expressed disappointment in the situation, while affirming its respect for the league’s disciplinary process.

> “We were informed by the NHL of Isaac Howard’s suspension following a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy,” the statement read. “The Edmonton Oilers organization fully supports the league’s decision and will cooperate in any further investigation. Our priority is to ensure that all members of our team uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.”

Team officials declined to take further questions following morning practice, with Head Coach **Kris Knoblauch** describing the development as “a difficult moment for both the team and the player.”

> “Isaac’s a young man with a bright future, and this is an unfortunate setback,” Knoblauch said. “We’ll stand by him through the process, but as a group, our focus now has to remain on hockey and our goals for this season.”

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### **Howard’s Promising Rise and Sudden Setback**

Howard, a native of Hudson, Wisconsin, was originally selected **31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL Draft**. After spending time in the NCAA with Michigan State and later at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Howard was traded to Edmonton in the summer of 2024 as part of a deal that sent a conditional draft pick to Tampa Bay.

The young winger quickly made an impression at training camp, earning praise for his speed, creativity, and offensive instincts. Analysts considered him one of Edmonton’s most intriguing depth prospects entering the 2025–26 season.

In seven preseason appearances, Howard notched three goals and two assists, securing what was expected to be his first full-time NHL roster spot. That momentum, however, has now come to an abrupt halt.

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### **NHLPA to File Appeal on Player’s Behalf**

The **NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA)** has indicated that Howard will **appeal the suspension**, citing potential contamination or mislabeling of supplements as a possible explanation. The appeal process will begin later this week and may take several weeks to resolve.

A statement released by Howard’s agent, **Dan Milstein**, emphasized his client’s innocence:

> “Isaac Howard is deeply disappointed by this news and maintains that he did not knowingly ingest any banned substance. We are actively working with the NHLPA to gather all relevant information to clear his name.”

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Howard could face a suspension ranging from **20 to 80 games**, depending on the severity of the violation and the substance detected.

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### **Impact on the Oilers’ Roster and Season Outlook**

Howard’s suspension poses both a **public relations and depth challenge** for an Oilers team looking to build momentum early in the 2025–26 campaign. The organization had planned for Howard to play a key role on the third line, providing secondary scoring and energy alongside Ryan McLeod and Derek Ryan.

The Oilers are expected to recall **Raphael Lavoie** from AHL Bakersfield to fill the vacant roster spot. Lavoie, 24, has been a consistent scorer in the minors and could see increased opportunity in Howard’s absence.

For a team already managing high expectations after last season’s Western Conference Finals appearance, the incident adds unwanted distraction.

Sportsnet analyst **Elliotte Friedman** commented during a radio appearance Monday morning that while Howard’s case is unusual, the Oilers must be careful to manage the narrative internally.

> “This kind of situation can really test a team’s focus early in the year,” Friedman said. “The good news is that this is a mature locker room led by veterans like McDavid and Draisaitl. But for Howard personally, this could be a long road back.”

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### **League’s Stance on Substance Violations**

The NHL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, implemented jointly with the NHLPA, follows a strict protocol that includes random testing throughout the season. While the league has seen relatively few PED-related suspensions compared to other major sports, each case is reviewed individually and handled confidentially until a ruling is finalized.

Howard’s case marks the **first PED suspension in the NHL since 2023**, when then-Winnipeg Jets defenseman Declan Chisholm served a 20-game ban for a similar violation.

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### **Looking Ahead**

As the appeal process begins, Howard will remain ineligible to practice or play with the team until further notice. His future with the organization remains uncertain, but both the Oilers and the NHLPA have expressed hope that the full facts will emerge in due course.

For now, the Oilers turn their focus back to the ice, preparing for their upcoming matchup against the Vancouver Canucks — with one less player on the bench, and a lingering cloud of controversy hanging over Rogers Place.