Following an outstanding season with Michigan State, Isaac Howard made the shocking decision to return to college, raising questions about his future with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After the news was made public, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois confirmed that the 2024-25 Hobey Baker Award winner is unlikely to sign with the organization, potentially setting the stage for an early trade or free agency departure in 2026.
“When I chatted with Isaac, he was pretty candid, and I appreciated his honesty, and I thanked him for his honesty,” BriseBois said. “He values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him. And I won’t speak for him, but he values that. Right now, I would say it’s unlikely that we will sign him.”
The Lightning have made Howard available, and while many teams are interested in trading for Howard, the Seattle Kraken should be a team looking to acquire his rights.
Trading for Howard comes with a fair share of risks. If he's reluctant to sign with a consistent playoff contender, then he may be picky about where he ends up. That being said, he might feel the Kraken suit his timeline. He would walk into the Kraken lineup as one of the most skilled players and receive the ice time and power play opportunities he likely wouldn't with the Lightning.
The 21-year-old scored an astonishing 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games in his third college season. The 2022 first-round pick (31st overall) represented Team USA at the World Juniors the year prior, winning gold and leading the team in goals with seven in seven games.
Howard is a gifted offensive player. He uses his skating to create openings to make plays, whether that's with his incredible stickhandling, top-notch playmaking or deceptive release. Prior to the 2024-25 season, Howard had scored just 14 goals in 71 NCAA games, but the confidence boost from the 2023-24 World Juniors carried over. Listed at 5-foot-11, 190 lbs, Howard isn't the biggest player you'll find in the NHL, but his understanding of how to position himself to succeed is why he's made it this far.
With an abundance of picks in the next three drafts, including five first-round picks and five second-round picks, the Kraken have more than enough assets to make a move for the Hudson, WI native. Howard would fit seamlessly into the Kraken's timeline and would instantly boost their skill level, something they are actively attempting to do.
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