Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and Michigan State University forward Isaac Howard has won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey. He beat out University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild) and Boston College winger Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) for the award.
Howard was the motor behind a strong Spartans lineup this season. He led Michigan State in all scoring categories, with 52 points split evenly. His 26 goals were two times more than anyone else on the roster. Howard’s scoring also averaged out to 1.41 points-per-game, the most in the NCAA – though he ranks fifth in total scoring. It was a breakout performance for the 21-year-old junior. His offense boomed after he found his footing in Adam Nightingale’s offense with a transfer from the University of Minnnesota-Duluth last season. Howard scored 36 points in 36 games in his first season with the Spartans, more than double the 17 points in 35 games he scored in his freshman season with the Bulldogs. Howard’s dazzling scoring came on the back of tireless hockey. He seemed to dominate all open space north of his own blue-line with fleet-footed skating and a strong drive through opponents. He filled a utility-tool role for the Spartans – making gritty plays behind the net, strong passes from the perimeter, and took hard shots in the slot.
Michigan State had their season ended by Cornell University in the first round of the Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. It was another early end for the Spartans after they lost to rival University of Michigan in the quarterfinals last year. It seems Howard isn’t satisfied with the pair of missed chances at the NCAA’s Frozen Four. He’s announced he’ll return to college for his senior season after not coming to terms with the Lightning on an entry-level contract in the recent weeks. There seems to be a growing divide between the Lightning and Howard’s camp, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman even suggesting Howard could be traded before signing his first pro deal. The rift is believed to be in part because Howard’s NIL earnings exceed what he would make on a minor-league deal.
It’d be hard to envision Howard’s role in Michigan State changing at all next season. Instead it will be the Spartans’ focus to build around their engine, which will be helped along by the commitments of multiple top prospects. Defensemen Tyson Jugnauth (Seattle Kraken), Colin Ralph (St. Louis Blues), and Matthew Lahey (Toronto Maple Leafs) are all headed to East Lansing next season, as well as forwards Austin Baker (Detroit Red Wings) and Ryker Lee, a 2025 NHL Draft prospect. That influx in talent will inspire Michigan State’s push for their first Frozen Four appearance since their 2007 championship win.
Howard beats out fantastic competition in Leonard and Buium. Leonard has already played in five NHL games and scored his first professional goal. He was a force to be reckoned with at Boston College, serving as the power-checker and goal-scorer on a star-studded Eagles top-line. He scored 30 goals and 49 points in 37 games of his sophomore season, good for most on Boston College and 10th-most in all of college hockey.
Buium was arguably an even bigger impact to his team, as he unquestionably filled the role of star defender for the University of Denver. He amassed 48 points in 41 games this season, most among all collegiate defensemen. It was his second year earning that title, after he managed 50 points in 42 games as a freshman last year. Buium is expected by many to sign his NHL entry-level contract in the coming days, after Denver’s season was ended by Western Michigan University in the semifinals.
Well, I’m not surprised Isaac Howard won (congrats to him) as many pundits had him as the favorite to win.
Howard won’t be a Bolt going forward this summer but this major accolade win adds more trade value to Howard for Tampa to get a pretty sizable haul for him this summer.
Why would anyone trade for him when he’s committed to going back to school (will make more money there) and end up a free agent after next season. If you recall Adam Fox trade from Carolina to the rangers is the kind of trade/return that Tampa is realistically gonna get. Btw it was a 3rd round pick I believe
The team that trades for him gives him max bonuses and salary, and promises to play him on opening night and/or at least 10 games so there is no slide year on his ELC. That is about all thy can legally do. Detroit would do that and he played several years in MI already, (State, USNT, U17, U18 and Jrs.
@bigdaddyt – First off, the Adam Fox deal was back in 2018 lol & the market has changed drastically since then. Why would anyone trade for him?!? Really?!? You need to really look at the marketplace because you’re obviously not that tuned in of recent deals. Tampa will move his signing rights this summer during the draft to receive either a top prospect or a 1st round pick in exchange from anyone that trades for him. They may even get some additional assets pending under various circumstances.
Howard is only going back to school because Tampa doesn’t have the cap flexibility to sign him to an NHL deal. He doesn’t want a ELC that will send him to the AHL because yes, financially he will make more with the NIL than in the AHL.
But his signing rights expire at the end of next year if he isn’t willing to sign he’s why would a team trade a haul for him. I hope they can recoup some assets for him or get him to come to Tampa but maybe temper those expectations
Don’t trade for him now and you give Tampa Bay a year to think about the mistake they might be making!
@bigdaddyt – I understand your point about his signing rights end next year (August 2026). However, teams are not going to wait for him to be a free agent. Howard going into free agency allows him to choose his destination. There will be teams who will want to get his rights before he hits potentially the open market. Getting his rights gives a team an advantage to get him signed.
Granted, there is a small possibility that maybe Tampa & Howard can sort out their divide over the course until then.
Sorry, a top prospect or a 1st rounder isn’t happening. Like it has already been pointed out, he’ll be a free agent and can pick where he wants to go next August 15th. No one is trading top assets for a guy who might not even sign with them.
@windmill_noise_causes_cancer – HAHA! How I pointed out already, there will be teams who will definitely trade for him, you can count on it. It cracks me up how shortsighted some people can be on these boards. There has been several major occasions on here where I’ve had “know-it-all people” tell me “I’m wrong” & I ended up being 100% correct (not surprised). This will be no different as I’ll be right in the end. There has already been top prospects that have been moved this season & could have become free agents & guess what?…Teams traded for that prospect.
P.S. There is the distinct possibility Howard & Tampa work things out over the course & Howard stays & signs later on with Tampa.
Thunder, having multiple bidders doesn’t mean the auction goes to infinity. Just look at Guentzel as a recent example. The Canes got him at a reasonable price of Bunting [a spare part in Carolina], a 2nd round pick, and assorted mid-prospects at the TDL, even though there were a dozen teams interested in acquiring him.
I think the Bolts should bring Howard in and waive or LTIR someone somehow!
Bolts could waive Atkinson and give Howard a 3 x 900K ELC with max bonuses (bonus $ will be paid next season) And be under the cap and bring Cam back for the playoffs if he is still around.
They need to keep this guy!
Leonard already played in the NHL and Buium will play next week!
I agree they should keep Howard. But apparently the issue is about his usage. Tampa wants Howard to play a year in the AHL to gain professional experience (which makes sense) while Howard wants to play in the NHL immediately. Tampa doesn’t want to pay him an NHL level contract immediately on really an unproven player who hasn’t shown he’s capable of playing at the professional level. Its dicey as I understand Tampa’s viewpoint.
All 3 finalists are worthy of the award, but Buium would’ve been my pick. I still can’t believe he played over 51 minutes in that double OT game last night. :0
Zeev got robbed