3 Teams That Make Sense For an Isaac Howard Trade with Lightning

Just one day after word dropped that top prospect Isaac Howard will not be signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and instead returning to school for his senior year, Isaac Howard was named the winner of the Hobey Baker Award as top collegiate player in the nation.

Isaac Howard is your 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner! 🏆

The @TBLightning top prospect put up 52 points in 37 games with @MSU_Hockey and led the nation in points per game! pic.twitter.com/THH8kipyNY
— NHL (@NHL) April 11, 2025

Howard, by deciding to return to Michigan State, has left open the door to becoming a free agent in August of 2026. His decision not to sign with Tampa was reportedly due to the fact that he & the Lightning "weren’t simpatico on where everything stood at this time", according to Elliotte Friedman.

Should this difference of opinion lead the Bolts to look at a potential trade of the top prospect? As noted by Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects, the chances of the Lightning doing that "are real."

If that's the case, let's have a look at three teams that make a lot of sense to step up with an offer:

Pittsburgh Penguins

For over a year now, GM Kyle Dubas has been working on accumulating young talent as he looks to refresh the Penguins lineup with youth around Sidney Crosby. Trading for top NCAA prospect Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets, another top collegiate player who wasn't going to sign with the team that owned his rights, is the perfect example.

Howard's excellent skating and natural instinct for scoring are exactly what the Penguins lineup could use.

Detroit Red Wings

After turning into a dominant force with Michigan State, right under the Red Wings' noses, a move to Detroit could be a great fit for Howard. The Wings could use a dynamic offensive player on the left side to slot in behind Alex DeBrincat.

The Wings have one of the best prospect pools in the sport, and could offer the Lightning a nice return.

Boston Bruins

GM Don Sweeney began the rebuild in earnest at the trade deadline, and he will look to continue to be aggressive in restocking the Bruins with solid young talent. There would be no hesitation by Boston to insert Howard immediately into the lineup for next season, which seems to have been a question mark with Tampa.

Getting a young, driving force like Howard into their group would be an ideal move for the offensively challenged Bruins.

Howard posted 26 goals this season with MSU—more than tripling his total from the previous year—and 52 points in 37 games, placing him fifth in NCAA scoring. He had a plus/minus rating of +19. And, oh yes, a Hobey Baker Award.