Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has all but confirmed the team will not be signing forward Isaac Howard to an entry-level contract.
Howard, 21, is the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, awarded annually to the top NCAA men's ice hockey player. Tampa selected him with the 31st pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
The Michigan State Spartans forward scored 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games in 2024-25, leading the nation in points-per-game (1.41).
Howard has completed three NCAA seasons, meaning he can become a free agent on August 15, 2026, following his senior season if he chooses.
With Howard and the Lightning unable to agree to an entry-level contract, the top prospect’s future in Tampa is up in the air.
“I had regular communication with [Howard] and his agent throughout the years,” BriseBois said. “Our development staff, J.P. Cote in particular, spends a lot of time with all of our prospects, so it’s always a possibility, but yeah, it was a surprise.
“The scenarios are either he gets traded prior to August 15, 2026, or he goes to free agency on August 15, 2026. Those are the two likely scenarios.” (H/t THN’s Diandra Loux)
If Howard signs with another team in free agency, Tampa will receive compensation, a 2027 second-round selection.
BriseBois’ comments came after Howard committed to returning to Michigan State next season.
“I just feel like with me and Tampa, I guess we didn’t see eye to eye the same way I thought we would,” Howard told the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on April 11. “It wasn’t a situation where I was demanding to step right into the NHL. It wasn’t anything like that... It just didn’t necessarily work out.”
Howard is widely regarded as one of hockey’s top prospects, but his current situation offers BriseBois limited leverage.
If Howard chooses to turn professional at the end of his 2025-26 season, he can only sign with the NHL team that holds his rights.
Doing so would burn a year of his entry-level contract, allowing him to cash in on a more expensive deal a year early.
For the New York Islanders, acquiring Howard would be an ideal outcome.
He is NHL-ready with top-six potential, offering a well-rounded offensive game led by his creativity, a lethal shot, and elite vision.
The Islanders – still searching for Lou Lamoriello’s successor – are unlikely to undergo a full-blown rebuild, so moving assets for someone as young and skilled as Howard would be a great way to improve the team’s long-term outlook without sacrificing Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Ilya Sorokin’s primes.
When forming a potential deal, a trade package for Howard could cost just about anything.
If Howard was willing to change his mind and commit to signing an entry-level contract ahead of the 2025-26 season, a first-round pick would be necessary to satisfy a deal.
Fortunately, the Islanders have two first-round picks in 2026 following the Brock Nelson trade.
Since Howard has already announced his intention to return to Michigan State next season, his trade value has likely dropped.
He presumably has a shortlist of teams he is open to joining and could do Tampa Bay a favor by informing them in advance.
While the Lightning have limited leverage, they will not settle for a return worth less than the compensatory second-round pick they would receive if Howard goes unsigned.
Of course, the Islanders would only consider a trade if they had Howard’s commitment, and it is unknown whether they are on the list.
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