With Isaac Howard winning the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, and the complications that are arising with the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was announced that he will return to play his senior season with Michigan State.[i]
Howard received the award just a few days after he and the Lightning failed to reach a contractual agreement. Notable NCAA players who did secure NHL contracts this year include Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), and Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild).[ii]
A key factor in Howard’s decision to return to Michigan State is his eligibility to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025-26 NCAA season.[iii] This status will allow him to sign with any NHL team upon the season’s conclusion.[iv] This situation presents a significant challenge for the Lightning, particularly now that Howard has solidified his value by winning the Hobey Baker Award.
According to the NHL and the NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), NHL teams retain the rights to NCAA-drafted players for four seasons.[v] Howard was selected in the first round of the 2022 NHL draft, which means the Lightning hold his rights through the end of his senior season.[vi] However, by choosing to play out that senior year, Howard sets the stage for Tampa Bay to lose those rights, unless they can reach an agreement before the August 15, 2026 deadline.[vii]
The CBA further specifies that if a player is drafted at age 18 or 19, he receives a bona fide offer, and becomes a bona fide college student following his selection in the NHL draft.[viii] The player remains one through the graduation of his college class, with his drafting Club retaining exclusive rights of negotiation for his services until August 15 following his graduation.[ix] In Howard’s case, if he completes his senior year and graduates, the Lightning will have exclusive negotiation rights through and including August 15, 2026.[x] Should the two sides still be unable to reach an agreement by that date, Howard will officially become an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any NHL team.[xi]
Looking ahead, Howard is focused on leading Michigan State to a national championship while aiming to defend his Hobey Baker Crown.[xii] Though much remains uncertain for both Howard and the Lightning heading into the 2025-26 season, there’s still a possibility that an agreement could be reached after the college season ends.[xiii] Until then, the 22-year-old is set to hit the ice for one final collegiate season with Michigan State.[xiv]
[i] https://www.nhl.com/news/michigan-state-isaac-howard-wins-2025-hobey-baker-award
[ii] https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/msu/hockey/2025/04/11/michigan-state-college-hockey-isaac-howard-wins-2025-hobey-baker-award/83051070007/
[iii] https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/lightnings-isaac-howard-heading-back-to-college/
[iv] Id.
[v] https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/lightning-face-decision-with-top-prospect-isaac-howard/
[vi] Id.
[vii] Id.
[viii] https://www.nhlpa.com/the-pa/cba
[ix] Id.
[x] Id.
[xi] https://www.hawkeyeshockey.com/isaac-howard-wins-hobey-baker-and-could-become-top-nhl-free-agent-in-2026/#:~:text=Could%20He%20Become%20a%20Free,would%20be%20a%20huge%20blow.
[xii] Id.
[xiii] Id.
[xiv] Id.
Photo Credit: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2022/07/08/lightning-select-forward-isaac-howard-in-first-round-of-nhl-draft/