Prospect Info: 2022 31st Overall Pick | LW Isaac Howard

[Major4Boarding]

While true, I think Brisebois (and the proverbial ship that sailed) sees that hole as easily filled by Bjorkstrand, Gourde, Paul, Chaffee, Geekie or whoever else becomes a bolt by the fall. That may or may not be approved by the fans, but he's probably looking to bolster the blueline or a decent middle six option that fits the mold the other 5 do.

Oh no doubt. I mentioned awhile back that Connor Garland (Now Bjorkstrand) would've been Howard's placeholder

IMO Paul-Gourde-Bjorkstrand would be your 3rd line - but now all this shit's happening and Geekie/Goncalves getting better each game, if that continues I can talk myself into settling in on hasta-la-bye-bye

Killer aside, damn this org's shit luck with Collegiate prospects sometimes. Aggravating

 

[HoseEmDown]

You guys do realize Howard was drafted 31st overall and not 3rd or 1st overall? We are not getting a 1st, that's higher than he was drafted, + decent prospect for him. Sure he just won the Hobey Baker but he did it in his D+3 season at 21, still good but not like he's did it D+1 and 19. His stock dropped after his D+1, and while he's been getting it back up his numbers aren't earth shattering especially considering his age. So expecting a big return isn't gonna happen especially when it's now known he wants out. I can't see any team doing more than a 2nd + mid prospect type. It's not great but better than nothing.

 

[Stelio Kontos]

just seems like poor asset management not to trade him at this last TDL?

hopefully some1 learns not to take these players with “egos” because they obviously can’t handle them.. Drouin, DeAngelo and now Howard

 

[Hockeyville USA]

just seems like poor asset management not to trade him at this last TDL?

hopefully some1 learns not to take these players with “egos” because they obviously can’t handle them.. Drouin, DeAngelo and now Howard

DeAngelo was just a brutal mistake from Yzerman considering the massive red flags DeAngelo had in junior.

Howard was a top 15 talent that fell for a variety of reasons (not a play driver, more of a passenger on the NTDP, probably didn't interview that well with certain teams, size), a good calculated gamble. Seems like there were communication issues & BriseBois clearly misread the situation, thinking Howard would just sign to whatever terms were offered.

 

[Felonious Python]

DeAngelo was just a brutal mistake from Yzerman considering the massive red flags DeAngelo had in junior.

Howard was a top 15 talent that fell for a variety of reasons (not a play driver, more of a passenger on the NTDP, probably didn't interview that well with certain teams, size), a good calculated gamble. Seems like there were communication issues & BriseBois clearly misread the situation, thinking Howard would just sign to whatever terms were offered.

Taking DeAngelo the hockey player wasn't really a mistake. He's turned in a decent NHL career despite everything. It looks like Howard could have a good career too. He'll reach the NHL at some point, for sure.

Because we tend to pick late, I think we go for the talent, and hope that the potential team culture issues work themselves out over time. I also feel that we have one of the more open-minded management and coaching staffs in the league. They aren't bogged down by old ways of thinking. We can take the more colorful personalities, as long as they have good character, and buy-in to putting the team first. (although DeAngelo's personal shortcomings would still be too much, IMO).

We can give Howard the contract. We can't guarantee him the ice time necessary to hit the performance bonuses. That's not putting the team (in its current state) first.

 

[DFC]

just seems like poor asset management not to trade him at this last TDL?

hopefully some1 learns not to take these players with “egos” because they obviously can’t handle them.. Drouin, DeAngelo and now Howard

I doubt there was anything realistic on the table at the TDL. Buffalo wasn't moving Tuch. I don't doubt we would have sent the entire prospect pool for Tuch if that was out there for us.

Howard is POSSIBLY an NHL ready winger, so the draft is just as good a time to move him. I think we are in a position where we will take picks or even prospects. Good chance to see if the scouting staff's still got it and can identify somebody floundering in a lesser system.

 

[Felonious Python]

I doubt there was anything realistic on the table at the TDL. Buffalo wasn't moving Tuch. I don't doubt we would have sent the entire prospect pool for Tuch if that was out there for us.

Howard is POSSIBLY an NHL ready winger, so the draft is just as good a time to move him. I think we are in a position where we will take picks or even prospects. Good chance to see if the scouting staff's still got it and can identify somebody floundering in a lesser system.

I'd at least investigate moving him now. If Howard wants to turn pro and burn a year of his ELC, he can still do that. At the draft, it'll be too late for that.

Picks are also probably overvalued at the draft itself, and I'd rather get (primarily) prospects back. We don't really need to wait for the draft to do that.

 

[Power Surge]

With Atkinson sent down and Bjorkstrand possibly out for a while how are we not getting on the phone with Howard

 

[Hockeyville USA]

With Atkinson sent down and Bjorkstrand possibly out for a while how are we not getting on the phone with Howard

If the bridge is burned, it's burned. Very possible that Howard feels disrespected, or maybe BriseBois/the organization feel disrespected and the relationship is unsalvageable.

 

[Power Surge]

If the bridge is burned, it's burned. Very possible that Howard feels disrespected, or maybe BriseBois/the organization feel disrespected and the relationship is unsalvageable.

A bridge should be able to be repaired with an unexpected opportunity. So if he is unwilling to be here even with this opportunity then yeah he should be moved. Man do I hope we fleece the team he goes to.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

With Atkinson sent down and Bjorkstrand possibly out for a while how are we not getting on the phone with Howard

I think that ship has sailed, but I believe Howard has been celebrating his Hobey Baker award all weekend. I think the ceremony was yesterday. If there was going to be another negotiation, I think he would be engaged today rather than yesterday.

 

[Stammertime91]

It's so weird to me that a not top 10 draft pick would have the audacity to feel slighted having not played one game in the AHL or NHL. Even then, plenty of top 10 guys have been "mishandled" and still went through a development process even if their skill expedited it. I would rather see Howard mature, or any young player, by going through a process for their benefit instead of their 0 games played opinion of "Im ready." Cool, then he gets lit up or makes bad turnovers and it starts out rough, guess where he's going? To the place he should've at the start. A perfect example of this is Geekie. Argue talent and projections all you want but the pathway to help a player that's not top 10 typically is incremental. It's almost like the front office knows this and would rather a player develop instead of hitting a wall, forming mental blocks and breaks, and stunt his development.

I really don't sympathize with Howard if he feels slighted. I don't think he needs to sit a season in the AHL if he's too good for it, but sometimes showing you're an ass to media by burning the team that drafted you isn't the default position for victory either. We might look back at this and be grateful. The guy is 21 and could've held the cards closely in an interview and instead chose not to. Geekie is 20, playing through the growing pains and having the time of his life in the AHL and NHL. I take Geekie all day over Howard.

 

[Sky04]

just seems like poor asset management not to trade him at this last TDL?

hopefully some1 learns not to take these players with “egos” because they obviously can’t handle them.. Drouin, DeAngelo and now Howard

Yeah cause they can predict the future. Excellent analysis, should they have read Howard's mind?

 

[Power Surge]

It's so weird to me that a not top 10 draft pick would have the audacity to feel slighted having not played one game in the AHL or NHL. Even then, plenty of top 10 guys have been "mishandled" and still went through a development process even if their skill expedited it. I would rather see Howard mature, or any young player, by going through a process for their benefit instead of their 0 games played opinion of "Im ready." Cool, then he gets lit up or makes bad turnovers and it starts out rough, guess where he's going? To the place he should've at the start. A perfect example of this is Geekie. Argue talent and projections all you want but the pathway to help a player that's not top 10 typically is incremental. It's almost like the front office knows this and would rather a player develop instead of hitting a wall, forming mental blocks and breaks, and stunt his development.

I really don't sympathize with Howard if he feels slighted. I don't think he needs to sit a season in the AHL if he's too good for it, but sometimes showing you're an ass to media by burning the team that drafted you isn't the default position for victory either. We might look back at this and be grateful. The guy is 21 and could've held the cards closely in an interview and instead chose not to. Geekie is 20, playing through the growing pains and having the time of his life in the AHL and NHL. I take Geekie all day over Howard.

Exactly and He's closer to a 2nd round pick. I'm starting to be in the camp of just get rid of him and that this isn't the organizations fault.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

It's so weird to me that a not top 10 draft pick would have the audacity to feel slighted having not played one game in the AHL or NHL. Even then, plenty of top 10 guys have been "mishandled" and still went through a development process even if their skill expedited it. I would rather see Howard mature, or any young player, by going through a process for their benefit instead of their 0 games played opinion of "Im ready." Cool, then he gets lit up or makes bad turnovers and it starts out rough, guess where he's going? To the place he should've at the start. A perfect example of this is Geekie. Argue talent and projections all you want but the pathway to help a player that's not top 10 typically is incremental. It's almost like the front office knows this and would rather a player develop instead of hitting a wall, forming mental blocks and breaks, and stunt his development.

I really don't sympathize with Howard if he feels slighted. I don't think he needs to sit a season in the AHL if he's too good for it, but sometimes showing you're an ass to media by burning the team that drafted you isn't the default position for victory either. We might look back at this and be grateful. The guy is 21 and could've held the cards closely in an interview and instead chose not to. Geekie is 20, playing through the growing pains and having the time of his life in the AHL and NHL. I take Geekie all day over Howard.

Until either side fully explains what happened, we won't truly know if Howard just wanted a standard ELC and burn a year (with or without getting games), or if he said "f*** this, there's no room for me next year and I don't want to sit in the A on buses all year". We don't know if BriseBois pivoted to only offering an ATO to end the season with the ELC starting in 2025-26. Personally, I don't think any of this happens if BriseBois had allotted the proper amount of cap space to be able to sign Howard to an ELC as soon as State was eliminated.

Hopefully we get an honest explanation from BriseBois once that time comes.

Additionally, Howard & Geekie are functionally the same age, both normal 2004 birthyears.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

With Atkinson sent down and Bjorkstrand possibly out for a while how are we not getting on the phone with Howard

I'm over getting him signed now. f*** it. Swing a trade at the draft for either a RHD prospect, a 1st round selection or comparable forward prospect. Just make sure he isn't good enough to potentially be the 3rd forward ever (after Point and Geekie) or 2nd defenseman (after Sergachev) in the Jon Cooper Era to escape Syracuse from the very beginning so we don't have any problems.

 

[Power Surge]

I'm over getting him signed now. f*** it. Swing a trade at the draft for either a RHD prospect, a 1st round selection or comparable forward prospect. Just make sure he isn't good enough to potentially be the 3rd forward ever after (Point and Geekie) Cooper Era to escape Syracuse from the very beginning so we don't have any problems.

Me too. Trade him to Buffalo f*** him. That's where I'm at. This isn't JBB fault imo.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Me too. Trade him to Buffalo f*** him. That's where I'm at. This isn't JBB fault imo.

I'm miffed at Howard and JBB alike. This guy is potenially going to be our only 1st round selection in 8 f***ing years and we can't even get him signed. It is ACTUALLY some of the stupidest shit I have ever seen

 

[Power Surge]

I'm miffed at Howard and JBB alike. This guy is potenially going to be our only 1st round selection in 8 f***ing years and we can't even get him signed. It is ACTUALLY some of the stupidest shit I have ever seen

Howard is boarding 2nd round selection because it was the end of 1st round. Some people don't like Florida for reasons. But I guess he doesn't like tax free state in spite. His prerogative I guess.

Heres a prediction..I doubt he holds Drouins jock strap

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Howard is boarding 2nd round selection because it was the end of 1st round. Some people don't like Florida for reasons. But I guess he doesn't like tax free state in spite. His prerogative I guess.

Heres a prediction..I doubt he holds Drouins jock strap

I actually forgot about him. He was before Point so my other post is sort of invalidated. But when it comes to Drouin, the only other guy I've seen squander that much talent was Nik Zherdev. Even then I'd argue Drouin was the superior player. On a larger level, Alexei Kovalev

Howard is good and all but not even in the same universe as Drouin as a prospect. Any better and you get a MacKinnon level player

 

[Power Surge]

I actually forgot about him. He was before Point so my other post is sort of invalidated. But when it comes to Drouin, the only other guy I've seen squander that much talent was Nik Zherdev. Even then I'd argue Drouin was the superior player. On a larger level, Alexei Kovalev

Howard is good and all but not even in the same universe as Drouin as a prospect. Any better and you get a MacKinnon level player

Alexei Kovalev actually produced for 2 teams though. Let's see if Howard can match lmao

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Alexei Kovalev actually produced for 2 teams though. Let's see if Howard can match lmao

Well yeah. This was just more to point out how much better prospects there have been than him

 

[Power Surge]

Well yeah. This was just more to point out how much better prospects there have been than him

I guess I'm just salty in how this is going. I just hope we get good value back.

 

[Sky04]

"trade him for a top-4 NHL ready defenseman" lmao no team is dumb enough to do that for a winger so temper your expectations. Montreal is the exception and one of the biggest reasons was because Drouin was seen as one of the most offensively gifted prospect in years until McDavid in 2015. Howard barely ranked in the leagues top-50 prospects in his draft +2 year, Drouin was #1 across the board in 2014 (he ranked above the entire 2014 draft class).

I'd like to see him packaged for a roster upgrade but regardless I think the assets coming back for him are just going to be flipped in the near future barring an embarrassing playoff exit, I doubt we're holding onto a prospect long term or waiting 3+ years for an impact player as long as this team is looking competitive.

 

[Stammertime91]

Until either side fully explains what happened, we won't truly know if Howard just wanted a standard ELC and burn a year (with or without getting games), or if he said "f*** this, there's no room for me next year and I don't want to sit in the A on buses all year". We don't know if BriseBois pivoted to only offering an ATO to end the season with the ELC starting in 2025-26. Personally, I don't think any of this happens if BriseBois had allotted the proper amount of cap space to be able to sign Howard to an ELC as soon as State was eliminated.

Hopefully we get an honest explanation from BriseBois once that time comes.

Additionally, Howard & Geekie are functionally the same age, both normal 2004 birthyears.

Certainly a fair take. To reiterate, I was excited to see him play for us but since that's likely not the case, it sucks. I don't think you do yourself any favors going on a podcast and saying anything like he did. Is it true? Could be. Could be he just didn't find a fit, but it shows a lack of professionalism and really sours any possible way forward when you air this stuff out away from the brass that drafted you. His decision as maybe he just doesn't want to play Tampa and would rather elsewhere, who knows.

And I'm fully on board with accepting the possibility Brisebois goofed along the way as he has made mistakes in the last few years. I just don't think it's such a doom and gloom situation if we lose him or trade him for a less shiny toy when most of the top 6 is locked and we really just need to rework 3-4 bottom six spots.