The Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2022 first-round pick, Isaac Howard, has made an extremely surprising decision.

This is the kind of thing that almost never happens to the Lightning, but their top offensive prospect has just turned his back on them.

The excellent Isaac Howard, who seems to be turning into a major steal from the 2022 NHL Draft, has officially refused to sign with the Lightning. Wow.

No one saw this coming.

Isaac Howard Says No to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Will Become Available for Free

This is an interesting opportunity for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.

Unless there’s a sudden change, Howard will become a free agent, completely free to sign with the team of his choice.

This is a real slap in the face for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“When I spoke with Isaac, he was very honest, and I appreciated his honesty, I thank him for that,” explained BriseBois.

“He places a lot of value on having the opportunity to choose the team that he feels is the best fit for him.

And I won’t speak for him, but he values that freedom.

At this time, I would say it’s unlikely we will be able to sign him.”

Julien BriseBois, GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Howard would therefore return to the NCAA next year and will later be able to sign with the team of his choice (unless a team, possibly the Canadiens, acquires his rights at a discount before then).

Could that team indeed be the Montreal Canadiens? To be continued.

Howard will thus follow in the footsteps of players like Kevin Hayes, Adam Fox, and others.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward racked up a very solid 52 points in 37 games this season in the NCAA with Michigan State University (26 goals and 26 assists).

He seems to have a similar profile to a certain Michael Hage.

I feel like he’s exactly the kind of young player Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton would take a chance on.