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New York Rangers set to steal top prospect from Eastern Conference team following latest report

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Joshua Deeds
June 14, 2025 (6:02 PM)

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With the relationship between Isaac Howard, a 1st-round draft pick, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Frank Seravalli has confirmed that the team will be working to trade the 31st OA in 2022. Could GM Chris Drury find a way to make a spot in Hartford for him?

With Isaac Howard expecting to turn pro this season, the club that drafted him had other plans. They attempted to sign him to a contract back in May, which led the situation to deteriorate to where we are now.

Instead of signing his first ELC, he'd elect to return to MSU for the 2025-2026 season instead of heading to the AHL to play with the Syracuse Crunch.

The situation would quickly gain traction and give Howard a chance to lobby for himself, and find a better situation which suited his career goals, as it appears the Lightning weren't it anymore.

«I just feel like with me and Tampa, I guess we didn't see eye to eye the same way I thought we would,» Howard told the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on April 11.

«It wasn't a situation where I was demanding to step right into the NHL, it wasn't anything like that... It just didn't necessarily work out and coming back to Michigan State is unreal.»

With a trade being on the horizon for the 31st overall in 2022, and a Hobey Baker Award winner, you'd think teams would be swarming to trade for him?

His value may be diminished according to some, but the time for GM Chris Drury to strike is now.

The New York Rangers may have to offer up something significant for Howard, who is projected to be a top-six talent in the NHL after his development is finished.

He could fetch a 1st-round pick and a top prospect like Braden Schneider, or Brennan Othmann in return.

In 37 games with Michigan State University, Howard scored 52 points (26-26) and could be a huge steal if GM Chris Drury has the chance to make a deal with Julien Brisebois.

Previously on NY Hockey Insider

New York Rangers encouraged to take shocking approach while targeting star forward

Two Western Conference teams emerge as serious landing spots for New York Rangers superstar

Surprising Pacific Division team set to make a strong push to acquire New York Rangers star forward

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JUIN 14 \| 1350 ANSWERS New York Rangers set to steal top prospect from Eastern Conference team following latest report Should the New York Rangers trade for forward Isaac Howard, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect?
Yes	740	54.8 %
No	610	45.2 %
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New York Rangers set to steal top prospect from Eastern Conference team following latest report

With the relationship between Isaac Howard, a 1st-round draft pick, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Frank Seravalli has confirmed that the team will be working to trade the 31st OA in 2022. Could GM Chris Drury find a way to make a spot in Hartford for him?

Should the New York Rangers trade for forward Isaac Howard, a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect?