NHL Rumors: One Team Is The Perfect Trade Partner For Lightning & Isaac Howard
The 21-year-old winger, fresh off a Hobey Baker-winning season at Michigan State, has yet to sign an entry-level deal with the Lightning. If no deal is reached by August 15, 2026, Howard will become an unrestricted free agent—a scenario Tampa Bay hopes to avoid.
According to Bailey, the Flyers are well-positioned to pursue a trade for Howard’s rights, thanks to their three first-round picks and four second-rounders in the upcoming 2025 draft.
The 2025 @HobeyBakerAward winner is @MSU_Hockey's Isaac Howard! 👏 pic.twitter.com/MS8LAExms9
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 11, 2025
Bailey noted the Flyers' recent acquisition of Karsen Dorwart, Howard’s linemate and roommate at Michigan State, as a key factor that could work in their favor.
The two players formed a dominant duo in college, and their existing chemistry might give the Flyers an inside track. “That’s my roommate!” Howard said in a recent interview. “He’s a big-time player… such a good, genuine, down-to-earth guy.”
The familiarity could help Philadelphia lure Howard away from Tampa Bay, especially if the Lightning choose to move on from a prospect who reportedly "didn’t see eye to eye" with the organization on his development path.
Friedman on 32TP says it seems like the path Lightning prospect Isaac Howard is going to take is go back to school then become a free agent after next year and choose his team. BriseBois is getting a lot of calls, teams checking in to see what he's thinking right now.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) April 13, 2025
While Tampa GM Julien BriseBois is known for driving a hard bargain, Briere has shown he’s capable of holding his ground in trade negotiations.
Bailey believes Howard would be a perfect fit for Philadelphia’s youth movement, joining a prospect pool that already includes names like Matvei Michkov and Alex Bump.
With the Lightning potentially losing leverage as the 2025 draft approaches, the Flyers may not need to overpay to bring Howard into the fold.
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