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TAMPA — When top Lightning prospect Isaac Howard’s season at Michigan State ended prematurely two weeks ago, it seemed only a matter of time before he would turn pro and sign his entry-level contract with Tampa Bay.
But it appears, at least for now, that Howard intends to return to Michigan State for his senior season, according to multiple reports, including Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and The Detroit News.
Howard led NCAA Division I with 1.41 points per game and is one of the final three candidates for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey. Allowing him to go unsigned puts the Lightning in danger of losing their 2022 first-round pick to the open market by next fall.
The news could be posturing on the part of Howard’s camp, which has major leverage in navigating an immediate path to the NHL for Howard. If Howard were to play in a NHL game this season, he would burn the first year of his entry-level contract, which would allow him to garner a more lucrative contract sooner.
It also doesn’t close the door on a deal with the Lightning. The team can continue to negotiate with Howard until he becomes a free agent on Aug. 15, 2026. Tampa Bay’s front office treats acquisitions as a 365-day-a-year process. If it doesn’t foresee being able to sign Howard, it could trade his draft rights.
The Lightning currently don’t have the cap space to add Howard to their NHL roster, but according to Friedman “word in NCAA circles is the team and Howard weren’t simpatico on where everything stood at this time.”
The Lightning haven’t said anything publicly about the situation, but that’s not unusual for an organization that’s typically tight-lipped until deals are finalized.
The sides presumably did not not see eye to eye on where Howard should begin his pro career. Fellow Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Leonard of Boston College made the immediate jump to play with the Capitals after signing his entry-level contract.
The Lightning prefer that their top prospects see at least some game action at AHL Syracuse. Even Nikita Kucherov played 17 games with the Crunch before arriving in the NHL. But a Tampa Bay organization that often uses its first-round picks as trade chips to benefit the team at the deadline hasn’t had a prospect with Howard’s dynamic skill set in several years.
From the moment he first drew notice at the 2022 draft by wearing a white suit, blue turtleneck and gold chain, and declaring himself the “best-looking guy” after the Lightning made him the 31st overall pick, Howard has continued to raise his stock as an exciting player with a flair for scoring in the biggest moments.
Last year, he led Team USA to a goal medal at the world junior tournament in Sweden, collecting a team-high seven goals and two assists in seven games, including two in the championship game against the Swedes.
In his second season at Michigan State, Howard had 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games, scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime to give the Spartans the Big Ten tournament title over Ohio State.
• • •
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But it appears, at least for now, that Howard intends to return to Michigan State for his senior season, according to multiple reports, including Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and The Detroit News.
Howard led NCAA Division I with 1.41 points per game and is one of the final three candidates for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey. Allowing him to go unsigned puts the Lightning in danger of losing their 2022 first-round pick to the open market by next fall.
The news could be posturing on the part of Howard’s camp, which has major leverage in navigating an immediate path to the NHL for Howard. If Howard were to play in a NHL game this season, he would burn the first year of his entry-level contract, which would allow him to garner a more lucrative contract sooner.
It also doesn’t close the door on a deal with the Lightning. The team can continue to negotiate with Howard until he becomes a free agent on Aug. 15, 2026. Tampa Bay’s front office treats acquisitions as a 365-day-a-year process. If it doesn’t foresee being able to sign Howard, it could trade his draft rights.
The Lightning currently don’t have the cap space to add Howard to their NHL roster, but according to Friedman “word in NCAA circles is the team and Howard weren’t simpatico on where everything stood at this time.”
The Lightning haven’t said anything publicly about the situation, but that’s not unusual for an organization that’s typically tight-lipped until deals are finalized.
The sides presumably did not not see eye to eye on where Howard should begin his pro career. Fellow Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Leonard of Boston College made the immediate jump to play with the Capitals after signing his entry-level contract.
The Lightning prefer that their top prospects see at least some game action at AHL Syracuse. Even Nikita Kucherov played 17 games with the Crunch before arriving in the NHL. But a Tampa Bay organization that often uses its first-round picks as trade chips to benefit the team at the deadline hasn’t had a prospect with Howard’s dynamic skill set in several years.
From the moment he first drew notice at the 2022 draft by wearing a white suit, blue turtleneck and gold chain, and declaring himself the “best-looking guy” after the Lightning made him the 31st overall pick, Howard has continued to raise his stock as an exciting player with a flair for scoring in the biggest moments.
Last year, he led Team USA to a goal medal at the world junior tournament in Sweden, collecting a team-high seven goals and two assists in seven games, including two in the championship game against the Swedes.
In his second season at Michigan State, Howard had 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games, scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime to give the Spartans the Big Ten tournament title over Ohio State.
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Continue reading...
