Lightning May Be Blocked From Signing Top Prospect Isaac Howard Due to Salary Cap Rules

This season has been a great one thus far for the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the team sitting third in the Atlantic Division as they look to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after winning back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021.

To do that they rely heavily on their veteran core, but they have seen some contributions from younger names in 2024/25, with a talented prospect pool that could help them in the years to come.

One prospect that was looking to help them now was Isaac Howard, their first-round pick back in 2022 who has just completed his college career at Michigan State, with many expecting him to jump to the NHL immediately at 20-years of age.

Unfortunately, the team have less than $10,000 currently in salary cap space, and according to reports, they wouldn't be able to sign him right away, and instead, he'll either need to sign a PTO with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL and then make the leap to Tampa Bay or he'd need to remain in Syracuse for the remainder of the year.

That clearly isn't the ideal situation for Howard, who posted an incredible 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games played with the Spartans this season, but one way or another, he's expected to turn pro in the coming days.

Whether that's as a member of the Crunch or in a Stanley Cup Playoffs push with Tampa Bay we are yet to see, but either way, it appears the Lightning may have another stud on their hands as they look to continue the impressive run they've been on in recent years.