Tampa Bay Lightning draftee Isaac Howard shocked the hockey world Thursday with his decision to return to the Michigan State Spartans for a fourth collegiate season.

Originally chosen 31st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Howard’s return is especially intriguing following a dominant season where through 37 appearances he put up a team-leading 52 points.

On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen chatted about Howard’s decision and whether the Lightning should have done more to have him put pen to paper on an entry-level contract this spring.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Are the Bolts making a mistake not pushing harder to keep Howard?

Colby Cohen: 100 percent. We know that their salary cap can get top heavy at times in Tampa Bay when you have all of those big dogs so you need guys who count for $950,000 or $975,000 who can come in and help you produce. I like Howard. I think he’s a good player and very talented. He’s learning how to play away from the puck. The fact that he’s going back [to Michigan State] for another year, that leads me to believe that he will never sign with Tampa Bay. I can’t understand what the holdup would be. There are not that many variances in a rookie, entry-level contract. Yes, there are some ‘A’ and ‘B’ bonuses you can fight over, but he is a first-round pick, he is a final-three for the Hobey Baker Award, which means he is one of the three best players in college hockey, so what else could you ask for from a first-round pick?

Tyler Yaremchuk: Again, if you’re the Bolts, why are you not jumping over every possible hurdle to get a guy like that in your lineup? Also, if you’re Howard, and this from his perspective, and to give the Bolts some slack, why would you not want to go play with all of that skill in Tampa Bay, and live in Tampa Bay?

Colby Cohen: It doesn’t really make sense in either direction. Some players want to go and play for the Chicago Blackhawks because they know they’re going to have a long leash to figure it out in the NHL. But there are these unique circumstances where a top player, because they make less money, and what they can do from a production standpoint, they can enter a Cup-level lineup right away and have that opportunity. I’m happy because it’s good for college hockey and it will make Michigan State better. Michigan State is a big, brand-name school and it’s good for us when they’re good from a TV ratings standpoint, so I’m glad that he’s coming back. I hope more guys come back.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here:

Failed to load video.