Top Prospect's Time With Tampa Bay 'Over' Per Frank Seravalli: Kyle Dubas' Top Trade Target Emerges

Back in 2022, the Tampa Bay Lightning used the No. 31 overall pick in the NHL Draft on the supremely talented Isaac Howard, and after winning the Hobey Baker Award in 2025, it's safe to say that he's shaping up as a potential star of the future in the NHL.

However, it appears as though the 21-year old won't be starring for the Lightning, as recent reports have revealed that their relationship is all but over, with the belief around the league being that he could be traded before the 2025 NHL Draft.

Unsurprisingly, chatter has picked up around the NHL of interest in the Michigan State star, and while the Pittsburgh Penguins should be selling off pieces rather than buying this summer, Howard is the perfect target for them.

At just 21-years of age, Howard tallied an impressive 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games this past season, and while there's been questions about his character off the ice, if the Penguins can get him learning under superstar Sidney Crosby, then he could have a very bright future in the NHL.

With Pittsburgh potentially taking calls on Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Rickard Rakell and others, there may be a deal to be had with a Lightning team that still believes they can contend in 2025/26, as it appears Howard is almost a certainty to be moved.

Ultimately, the Penguins may not be in the spot to win-now for a young player like Howard, but they've got some intriguing pieces of the future, and with the No. 11 overall pick in this years draft, if they can land a good player there and Howard, the future all of a sudden looks much, much brighter in Pittsburgh.