4 Trade Landing Spots for Lightning Prospect Isaac Howard amid NHL Rumors

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Isaac Howard finished his junior season by winning the Hobey Baker Award—the first for a player from Michigan State University since 2001. The winger also announced he will return to MSU for his senior season, as he and teammate Trey Augustine (DET) still want to win a national championship.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic reported that Howard wanted to sign and burn a year of his entry-level contract to join the Lightning for their playoff run. However, the Lightning don't have the cap space to do so. 

By returning for his fourth year at Michigan State, Howard can now become an unrestricted free agent in August 2026. With that in mind, the Lightning may try to deal his rights.

From an asset-management standpoint, it'd be smarter to get a younger prospect or pick—someone who won't be ready until they have the cap space, or something that can be used to acquire a new prospect—than it is to wait around and see whether Howard chooses to join the Lightning a year from now.

Here are a few spots where he could land if they decide a trade is the right move.

Howard would fit nicely with the roster that the Flyers are building under general manager Danny Brière.

Any rebuilding team can always use more offense, and Howard's offensive instincts allow him to complement elite-level players well. He's the kind of player who would look great on a line with an unleashed Matvei Michkov. When harnessed properly, their instincts combined could turn into some beautiful scoring opportunities. The Flyers also recently signed Howard's roommate, Karsen Dorwart.

With that said, the Flyers first need to hire a head coach who would allow Howard's instincts to be unleashed rather than stifled.

Michkov's scoring exploded under interim head coach Brad Shaw at the end of the regular season. But we need a larger sample size to determine whether Shaw's system gave Michkov the space to do that or if it was sheer relief that he was no longer being held back by former head coach John Tortorella.

If you're going to rebuild around young, offense-minded players, you need a coach who will create an environment for that sort of play to thrive rather than one who stifles creativity in the name of teaching responsibility.

The Montreal Canadiens squeaked into the playoffs this season, but there are more moves they could make to extend this window and become true contenders.

Adding complementary young players like Howard to their already promising forward corps of Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov would be a great way to do that. Howard's skating would be beneficial for the Canadiens in particular, as well as his play off the puck. 

Lightning general manager Julien Brisebois won't let a former first-round pick go for nothing, so he's likely going to be trying for big swings. The Habs have two first-rounders this year and a nice prospect pipeline. Those are ideal options for the Lightning to get value back while not worrying about how it affects their current cap situation.

They should aim for someone like Sean Farrell—a good prospect, but not someone who should net an inordinately high price—or swing for one of those first-rounders.

Howard is a terrific skater and is not afraid to blend physicality into the plays he makes. The Boston Bruins need both of those things.

His offensive instincts would also help fill in the gaps left by the earth-shattering trades that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney made at this year's trade deadline.

Howard led the NCAA with 1.41 points per game this season, so he knows how to score. He'll just need to prove that he can translate that to the NHL. Adapting to the game alongside the veterans the Bruins still have could be a good way to do that.

If the Bruins do make a play for Howard with their not-ideal prospect pool, they'd either have to trade some high-level picks or give up a player whom Brisebois feels could be part of the Lightning's future. Given the Lightning's cap situation, the former feels more likely.

As the Bruins are on the path to fully rebuilding, this would be a test of where general manager Don Sweeney's priorities lie.

Adding Howard would provide a good complement to the San Jose Sharks' group of young forwards. General manager Mike Grier seems to be taking the youth movement seriously, and Howard's skating and stick-handling would fit in well alongside forwards Macklin Celebrini or William Eklund.

He's already familiar with Will Smith from his time in the NTDP. They were also both members of Team USA at the 2024 World Junior Championships.

Howard's 52 points this season, including 26 goals in 37 games, is nothing to sneeze at when you're looking at offensive production to add to your team. He will need to prove that he can replicate that in the NHL—and he needs to work on his puck management overall—but he'd be a valuable add, no matter the team.

If the Sharks choose to go after Howard, they figure to be one of many teams calling the Lightning.