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Kyle Dubas Urged to Land Top Forward Prospect After Latest Development
Following the most recent development with Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Isaac Howard, the Penguins are being urged to make a play for him while they can.
There has been an interesting development regarding Tampa Bay Lightning prospect forward Isaac Howard, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are being urged to take advantage of it.
Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has indicated that Howard is very unlikely to sign a contract with the club, despite having taken him with the 31st pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Does this mean that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas should start making plans to try and poach him from Tampa? Kelsey Surmacz of The Hockey News certainly thinks so - even if it means overpaying to acquire him.
So, in a sense, the Penguins might have to give up what may be considered a slight overpay for his services in order to outbid other teams in the meantime.
However, given Howard's skating, defensive prowess, and playmaking ability in high-danger areas - as well as his finishing ability - that slight overpay might just be a worthwhile risk for Dubas and the Penguins if the option is on the table.
However, given Howard's skating, defensive prowess, and playmaking ability in high-danger areas - as well as his finishing ability - that slight overpay might just be a worthwhile risk for Dubas and the Penguins if the option is on the table.
Howard's scouting report via Elite Prospects reads as follows:
Right away, Howard's skating stands out. Pushes his knees past his toes, engaged his hips, and maintains his posture in tight, while deking, or on the backcheck. His top hand moves freely around his body, which he turns into incredible stickhandling displays. When handling, he's scanning. Adjusts body positioning to get pressure on his back, then uses hesitations and changes of pace to slip around the check.
The Penguins have almost no realistic shot at winning the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, meaning that a play to secure a young established talent like Howard should be at the top of Dubas' consideration list.
| POLL | ||
MAI 3 | 154 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas Urged to Land Top Forward Prospect After Latest Development Should the Penguins make a play for MSU's Isaac Howard? | ||
| Yes | 114 | 74 % |
| No | 40 | 26 % |
| List of polls | ||