<p>During a press conference on Friday, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/tampa-bay-lightning/line-combinations">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> general manager Julien BriseBois said it’s ‘unlikely’ that top prospect Isaac Howard signs with the Bolts.</p>



<p>“When I chatted with Isaac, he was pretty candid, and I appreciated his honesty, and I thank him for his honesty,” said BriseBois. “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.”</p>



<p>Under the terms of the CBA, if Isaac Howard goes to free agency in Aug. 2026, Tampa Bay would get the 31st selection in the 2nd round (e.g., 63rd overall) as a compensatory pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.</p>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Julien BriseBois on Isaac Howard: <br><br>“When I chatted with Isaac, he was pretty candid, and I appreciated his honesty and I thank him for his honesty. 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…</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="178"></div>— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) <a href="https://twitter.com/Diandra_loux/status/1918348222193455106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<p>Howard made news recently when he announced his decision to return to school and play another season for the Michigan State Spartans.</p>



<p>During the 2024-25 campaign, Howard scored 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors and the Hobey Baker Award. He ranked fifth in the NCAA in points, just five back of Denver forward and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/florida-panthers/line-combinations">Florida Panthers</a>&nbsp;prospect Jack Devine.</p>



<p>“I’m super honored and excited to be up here,” Howard said at the award ceremony on Friday in St. Louis. “I know this award means more than just hockey – it’s characteristics off the ice, and every day I’ll try to do my best to live up to that.”</p>



<p>Howard became just the third Spartan to take home the Hobey Baker Award and first since former NHL goaltender Ryan Miller won the Hobey in 2001.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="142"></div>



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