Top Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect Isaac Howard Makes Huge Decision On His Future

While watching many of the top NCAA prospects sign their pro contracts over the past few weeks to join NHL organizations, one of the most notable, Isaac Howard, has made a surprising decision to return to Michigan State for his senior year. A bad blow for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Isaac Howard will indeed be returning to Michigan State for his senior season, as previously reported by others

This development is unexpected, considering that the Hobey Baker finalist has the option to enter free agency on August 15, 2026

A massive boost for MSU as they look…
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) April 9, 2025

Howard was the Bolts' No. 2 prospect, and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker award, for top collegiate player of the year. Now 21, he was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (#31 overall) by the Lightning, and he can become a free agent on August 15th, 2026 if he is still unsigned.

Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that "word in NCAA circles is the (Lightning) and Howard weren’t simpatico on where everything stood at this time".

Another report stated that the young winger, if he were to sign his entry-level deal, wanted to join the Lightning "immediately" for their playoff push, which became a problem. Tampa has no cap space to make that work, not to mention their questions about what Howard's role and opportunity would be for a team that's going into the postseason as a real Stanley Cup contender.

Howard broke out big-time at MSU this season, racking up 26 goals—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.