The NY Islanders should be doing all they can to sign Isaac Howard

Not too long ago, the NY Islanders had what was considered to be the worst prospect pool in the NHL. But over the last two months, the pool has been revamped with the recent additions of Calum Ritchie and what will soon be one of the league's top prospects after winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery and the first overall pick in this year's draft.

But the Isles have the opportunity to take it another step further by signing Isaac Howard this summer.

Howard, 21, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning 31st overall in 2022. Last week, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois made it apparent that Howard would not be signing with the Bolts. 

“When I chatted with Isaac, he was pretty candid, and I appreciated his honesty, and I thank him for his honesty,” said BriseBois, according to Daily Faceoff. “He values the opportunity to choose the club that he believes is the best fit for him. And I won’t speak for him, but he values that. Right now, I would say it’s unlikely that we will sign him.”

Howard isn’t just any mid-round prospect not electing to sign an ELC, he’s the defending Hobey Baker Award recipient, given to the best player in the NCAA.

The Hudson, WI native finished with 52 points (26 G, 26 A) in 37 games in his junior season with Michigan State - fifth most in the nation.

While the Islanders will certainly look to sign a player of Howard’s caliber, so will 31 other teams. The Isles could present Howard with a path directly to the NHL, a road other organizations may not be willing to go down.

Wherever Howard elects to sign, it’ll cost that franchise a 2027 second-round pick, a swap that would certainly make sense.

If the Isles can convince Howard that Long Island is the best place for him to excel, they would potentially have four top 50 prospects along with Ritchie, Cole Eiserman, and whoever they decide to select first overall.