Michigan State hockey star Isaac Howard hasn't officially left for the pros yet, but it sounds like it'll be happening soon.
Numerous Spartans have signed with NHL clubs since the season came to an end last week, but Howard has surprisingly not yet signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This has caused some to wonder if he is contemplating a return for his senior season at Michigan State. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case as his delay in joining Tampa Bay is due to a salary cap issue, according to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects.
Robinson provided an update on Howard's NHL status on Friday, and it essentially is a "staring contest" between the Spartans star and the Lightning due to salary cap complications. The Lightning currently don't have salary cap space for Howard to join the team right away, which is what he is looking to do instead of be placed on the Lightning's AHL affiliate.
Here's a bit of Robinson's reporting on the Howard-Lightning situation to give further context:
"After these three seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning are keen to avoid their 2022 first-round pick returning for a fourth NCAA campaign, which could lead to him testing unrestricted free agency. Furthermore, Howard is eager to transition from college to professional hockey. The primary challenge, however, is the team's lack of salary cap space.
Currently, both parties find themselves at a bit of an impasse. The most straightforward solution for the Lightning would be to sign Howard to an ATO, allowing him to join Syracuse of the AHL for the remainder of the season. He could then sign his ELC in the summer, set to commence in the 2025-26 season. However, this approach would not allow for a year to be counted against his contract, which would be advantageous for the player."
NCAA Signing Season: What we're hearing on top NHL prospects and their future plans @eliteprospects
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) April 2, 2025
News and notes on Isaac Howard, Jacob Fowler, Zeev Buium, Tom Willander, & more
🔓: https://t.co/rsCm7QLgeipic.twitter.com/X6rdYW1Js3
Ultimately, Robinson added that he believes a compromise between Howard and the Lightning will be met at some point in the coming weeks, and he will be done playing college hockey.
Howard was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist this week -- which is annually given to the top college hockey player of the season. He was the top player on the Spartans this season, leading the team in points (52), goals (26) and assists (26). He was the Big Ten Player of the Year and also earned Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player after leading the Spartans to a second straight Big Ten Tournament title.
There's still a chance, of course, that ...
