Lightning hitting roadblock trying to trade top prospect Isaac Howard

TAMPA The Lightning are working to trade former first-round pick Isaac Howard but havent been able to find a deal that satisfies both sides.

General manager Julien BriseBois said the team will be patient but also vigilant in pursuing a trade.Following a season in which he led NCAA Division I skaters in points per game and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey, Howard went unsigned and announced he planned to return to Michigan State for his senior season.At the end of the Lightnings season, BriseBois announced that Howard was not signing with the team.

He said Howard wants to choose the team he plays for and the team would look to trade his rights before he becomes a free agent in August 2026.This weeks NHL draft would have seemed a prime opportunity for the Lightning to do so.

A trade chip like Howard presumably could net the Lightning more than the 2027 second-round compensation pick theyd receive if he went unsigned.But nothing materialized Friday-Saturday.Following the Lightnings eight-pick draft, BriseBois said he has been in regular contact with Howards representatives and spoke to his agent before the start of the draft on Friday.We dont have anything right now, BriseBois said.

Its tricky, because the teams that are willing to offer me something that I would think would be worthwhile for our organization and actually makes us better and fits with the plan we have for our organization, they havent been able to agree to a contract with Isaac.

And the teams that he feels he can get a deal done with have not been able to get a deal done with me.Thus, the stalemate.I dont know how long this is going to take, BriseBois said.

Were perfectly comfortable waiting until the end.

We know, worst-case scenario, were getting a second-round pick out of this.

If I can do better, that would be optimal for me.

It would be way better for Isaac Howard, because he should turn pro.

Thats in his best interest for his careers development.

We are working with them to try to get that done, but as of now we havent been able to.No extension talks this summer for McDonaghBriseBois said there are no plans to start extension talks with veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh this summer before he goes into the final year of his contract.We would like to keep Ryan, and he would like to stay, BriseBois said.

At some point, were going to address that.

It wont be this offseason.

I already met with Ryan and told him that.McDonagh, who turned 36 earlier this month, was the anchor of an improved Lightning defense and led the NHL with a plus-43 rating this past season.He isnt the only key piece of the roster whose contract ends after the 2025-26 season.Right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand, part of a deal with Seattle that cost the Lightning two first-round picks, can become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

Defenseman J.J.

Moser will be eligible for restricted free agency next summer.Were going to wait, probably let the season play out and figure out where we are as a team, BriseBois said.

Where everyone is as a player and make sure we allocate the right dollars to the right players in due time.BriseBois had a similar approach with former captain Steven Stamkos, waiting until he played out the final year of his contract before discussing another.

The sides couldnt come to a deal, and Stamkos left for Nashville in free agency.

Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams.

Follow our coverage on X and Facebook..

This article has been shared from the original article on yahoo, here is the link to the original article.