The Tampa Bay Lightning’s most recent first round pick was inches away from the top-five in our countdown, but has buckets of potential to end up much higher very soon. Howard was taken 31st overall by the Lightning in 2022, but was ranked in the teens by many before the draft. The fact that a highly skilled, top-notch skating, and hardworking prospect fell in Tampa Bay’s lap is a huge boost. Howard will be heading to the University of Minnesota-Duluth this season as he begins his NCAA career.
The Player
Name: Isaac Howard
Position: Left Wing
Age: 18
Last Year’s Rank: Not in organization
Readers Rank: #5
Writers Rank: #8
Final Rank: #6
Isaac Howard comes from the US national team development program where he outscored draft-mate Logan Cooley who ended up going third overall last summer with 82 points in 60 games.