Trade Developing For Former Lightning First Round Pick as Time Runs Out For the Team

Isaac Howard is on his way out of Tampa Bay, but while a trade is developing, we are yet to see anything come together for one major reason.

Once upon a time, Isaac Howard was considered a future star for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but after his NCAA and Hobey Baker Award winning season came to an end, things clearly changed.

It's unclear exactly why the relationship between he and the Lightning soured, but it clearly did, and now, all expectations are for the former first-round selection to be traded before playing a game in Tampa Bay.

It's reportedly just a matter of time until a deal gets done, as Lightning GM Julien Brisebois addressed the situation recently, noting that it may take some time, but the organization is comfortable in waiting to make it happen.

'I don't know how long this is going to take. We're perfectly comfortable waiting until the end.

We know worst case, we're getting a second round pick out of this. If I can do better, that would be optimal for me. It would be way better for Isaac Howard because he should turn pro. That's in his best interest for his career's development. We are working with them to try to get that done but, as of now, we have not been able to.'

On top of that, he stated that the team are likely to get at least a second-round pick, and although they're pushing to get a deal done, as it would be in the best interest of Howard to be on an NHL team heading into 2025/26, nothing is clearly on the horizon.

According to Brisebois, the team have found some trade partners, but not ones that Howard is willing to negotiate with, and the ones that Howard is open to talking too have not yet offered the team a deal.

'It's tricky because the teams that are willing to offer me something, that I think would be worthwhile for our organization, that actually makes us better and kind of fit with the plan we have for our organization.. they haven't been able to agree to a contract with Isaac.

The teams that he feels he can get a deal done with, have not been able to get a deal done with me.'