From First-Round Pick to Trade Rumors: Howard’s Crossroads

Lightning prospect (at least at the moment) Isaac Howard could learn a thing or two from watching Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand and how he handled the last four months of his 16-year career.

At the risk of getting pummeled outside of Amalie Arena next winter, an aspect that Tampa Bay Lightning fans have to appreciate about Marchand is that he was smart enough to know a good situation when it presented itself.

In March, Marchand was traded by the Boston Bruins to the Panthers, and the four-time All-Star instantly became a third-line player, albeit, on a two-time Stanley Cup championship team.

This spring, Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois shocked many by acknowledging that Howard, whose rights the Lightning have held since drafting him in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, wasn’t interested in signing with the winningest team in the NHL over the last decade.

“When I chatted with Isaac,” BriseBois said in April, “he was really candid, and I appreciated his honesty. I thanked him for his honesty.

“He values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him. I won’t speak for him, but he values that.”

In that case, perhaps BriseBois and Howard can “appreciate” this dose of honesty.

If Howard isn’t interested in signing with Tampa Bay, for whatever reason, it speaks volumes about how he isn’t the “best fit” for this organization. He is doing the Lightning a favor by not signing prior to the August 15, 2026 deadline.

“Right now,” BriseBois continued, “I would say that it is unlikely that we will sign him.”

Whoever is advising Howard to spurn Tampa Bay is doing the 21-year-old a monumental disservice for a myriad of reasons.

First, by signing with Tampa Bay, Howard joins a franchise that has no tolerance for a lack of success. Howard wasn’t even a teenager the last time the Lightning had a losing record in the regular season.

“’Ike’ loves winning,” Michigan State coach Adam Nightengale said this spring of his top player. “That is what he wants to do. He wants to come back and help us win games.”

If Howard is more intrigued about beating Lindenwood in November than competing for the Stanley Cup, then he’s right, Tampa Bay isn’t the “best fit” for him.

“He has an understanding,” Nightengale continued, “that ‘Yes, I could sign that piece of paper, but I feel like I still need to get better before I make that jump.’”

With all due respect to the Spartan coaching staff, it isn’t going to help Howard improve more than the Lightning coaches, strength and conditioning, and player development staff.

Also, playing games against Ohio State, as opposed to battling against the best players on earth every day in practice and games, isn’t going to make Howard a better player.

Not even close.

The Lightning roster is filled with players who have made seismic gains in becoming among the best players in the National Hockey League.

Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov totaled 18 points in 52 games in his first season with the club. He’s averaged 89 points over the past three seasons and won the Ted Lindsay Award (NHLPA chooses the league’s top player) this season.

Forwards Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point, as well as defenseman Victor Hedman, each have grown to the point that they competed in the Four Nations Tournament this past season.

Forwards Mitchell Chaffee and Nick Paul played the best hockey of their careers with this team, and forward Yanni Gourde was ecstatic in March when he got traded back to his original team.

Veteran forward Jake Guentzel scored more goals this past season, his first with the Lightning, than ever before.

And don’t even get me started on the development of young forward Gage Goncalves this past season.

“Gage,” BriseBois said, “of all of our players, has shown the most growth in the (past) year.”

How can Howard look at the Lightning and NOT salivate over an opportunity to develop under the best head coach in the NHL (Jon Cooper), and without pressure because he is surrounded by more experienced, and more talented players?

“A little bit,” BriseBois said at being surprised by Howard’s hesitancy to join the club. “Because, I have had regular communication with Isaac and his agent throughout the years, and our development staff, (Director of Player Development) J.P. Cote, in particular. (Cote) has spent a lot of time with all of our prospects.

“(Not signing) is always a possibility, but yeah, it was surprising.”

With the NHL Draft just days (June 27 and 28) away, rumors are circulating that Howard will be traded.

If/when this happens, maybe Howard will be more satisfied winning less, but playing more.

He might want to ask guys like San Jose young stars Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund how that is working out.

“I really like Isaac,” BriseBois said. “He is a likable player and a likable young man. I’ve enjoyed all my interactions with him, including throughout the process of this offseason.

“But the reality is, we haven’t been able to come to an agreement that is mutually acceptable.”

That is too bad for Howard – the first decision of his professional career and he is making the wrong one.