After winning the Hobey Baker Award, Isaac Howard has indicated he will not be signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Here’s why the Rangers should pursue him.
Teams invest significant thought and analysis into the player draft process. However, once a prospect’s name is announced, they immediately face immense pressure and expectations. Looking at this situation from a player’s perspective can be quite overwhelming. Most young athletes have little control over their immediate futures or the beginning of their professional hockey careers. From an outside perspective, some might argue that these players are fortunate and should feel grateful.
This has been the norm for decades. Yet, in the NHL, drafted players can take steps to pursue the future they desire. While it doesn’t happen often, it is possible. Unfortunately, when this occurs, the media tends to criticize young players and incite fans to join in, leading to tense situations. Recent examples include Cutter Gauthier with the Philadelphia Flyers and Rutger McGroarty with the Winnipeg Jets over the past two years. However, before we jump to conclusions about entitled youngsters, it’s worth noting that the Rangers have benefited from such scenarios just as much, if not more, than many other franchises.
For instance, Kevin Hayes, initially drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, opted to return to Boston College for one final year before entering free agency and ultimately signing with the Rangers. Similarly, Jimmy Vesey followed this path two years later. One of the most notable cases in Rangers history is Adam Fox, whose rights were traded twice before he fulfilled his childhood dream by signing with the Rangers.
As the NHL season comes to a close, another prominent prospect seems ready to explore free agency next summer: Isaac Howard, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s first-round pick in 2022.
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