Lightning Star Prospect Refuses to Sign, Suddenly Becomes Trade Target for Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Raw Charge
Isaac Howard was the best player in all of college hockey last year, winning the Hobey Baker but his refusal to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning means he could be a target for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Winning the Hobey Baker award as the best player in college is no small feat. Prior award winners include 2024 1st overall pick Macklin Celebrini, Norris trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar, Stanley Cup Champion Jack Eichel, and the late Johnny Gaudreau. Those who win this award tend to go on to have lengthy and successful NHL careers.
So when 2025 Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard refused to sign with the team that drafted him, the Tampa Bay Lightning, many teams surely inquired about his services, but the Lightning looked to keep Howard, hoping to change his mind about the matter.
Tampa Bay and Isaac Howard's relationship fractured: Frank Seravalli
However, insider Frank Seravalli has confirmed that the Lightning have accepted that they will need to move on from their number one prospect and test the trade market to gauge the offers.
The relationship between the Lightning and prospect Isaac Howard is "over", he will be moved at some point; lots of interest - Frank Seravalli
While it is unknown what the asking price for Howard will be, he has quite the pedigree behind him and appears to be a future top-six or even top-line player. The 21-year-old has accomplished a lot at the NCAA level and looks more than ready for an NHL role.
With the Maple Leafs looking set to lose Mitch Marner in free agency, per Andy Strickland, Howard could step into the Leafs' top six and help fill the void Marner would leave.
Isaac Howard could join laundry list of Maple Leafs NCAA prospects
While young, he could develop into one of Auston Matthews' favorite linemates with high-end passing and shooting abilities. If Brad Treliving and Julien BriseBois can reach an agreement, both teams could greatly improve their situations despite being division rivals.
Howard, drafted 31st overall in 2022, has spent the past three seasons in the NCAA, the first two with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and this past season with Michigan State.
He has slowly but steadily developed into the college superstar he is today, scoring just 17 points as a freshman, then 36 as a sophomore, and most recently 52 as a junior. It should be noted that he averaged 36 NCAA games a season when he played.
Plus, the team already added names like Luke Haymes, John Prokop and Ryan Kirwan from college this past season, and adding an NCAA standout might just be on the table.
As of now, it is a certainty that Howard will be changing teams and the Toronto Maple Leafs should certainly inquire about his services.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 14 | 320 ANSWERS Lightning Star Prospect Refuses to Sign, Suddenly Becomes Trade Target for Maple Leafs Should the Toronto Maple Leafs trade for Isaac Howard? | ||
| Yes | 156 | 48.8 % |
| No | 164 | 51.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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