The Fan Blog : Ek on Flyers: Rumor>. Flyers May Have Inside Track on Isaac Howard

This team just can’t lose.

What’s the point at this juncture? Yeah yeah yeah, we all know we shouldn’t try to
Lose. However, how many times have the Flyers won a bunch of meaningless games, only to screw up draft position? That makes no sense either.

Now with the coach gone and all the pressure off, this team decides to play better. A truly unlikable team. I don’t want to hear from Myrtetus or anyone else in the media speaking kindly about the way the season is ending.

Howard is returning to MSU next year.

What’s the point at this juncture? Yeah yeah yeah, we all know we shouldn’t try to
Lose. However, how many times have the Flyers won a bunch of meaningless games, only to screw up draft position? That makes no sense either.
- Hokeeguy9

Players and coaches dont try to lose. GMs build teams designed to lose. Players and coaches are all playing for jobs.

Looking forward to cheering for Claude in the POs.

Briere looks like he will have some opportunities to get this thing moving in the right direction if he can steal Howard from Tampa.

Briere looks like he will have some opportunities to get this thing moving in the right direction if he can steal Howard from Tampa.
- psuhockey

Gonna be a lot of competition for him... Karsen is gonna be in LHV, I don't see it being a big factor in where this guy signs.

No shortage of options if he wants to stick around the Upper Midwest. Rangers, Bruins and Wild also seem to hoover up a disproportionate number of the top college UFAs. Flyers are a long shot.

Gonna be a lot of competition for him... Karsen is gonna be in LHV, I don't see it being a big factor in where this guy signs.

No shortage of options if he wants to stick around the Upper Midwest. Rangers, Bruins and Wild also seem to hoover up a disproportionate number of the top college UFAs. Flyers are a long shot.
- Tomahawk

I wouldn’t say they are a long shot. They are an equal shot because nobody knows this players location preference or even if he has one. The big thing working for the Flyers is an abundance of picks that they can outbid any other team. Having his college roommate could help him wanting to sign if the Flyers have the best offer.

Isaac Howard

Hijacking the forum for my own therapy.

Where to begin....

While IH is well within his rights to exercise any leverage he has, lets not ignore the repercussions or consequences.

The spectrum. Perhaps IH truly wants to stay in College and continue to develop with a goal of winning a national championship. If the Lightning are on board with that and both parties have a plan for next spring..then this is a lot of noise over nothing.

However...I think there is a 5% chance of this occurring as evidenced by the official Lighting website ZERO mention of the Hobey Baker award accolades for their prospect.

Kudos to both sides for not slinging mud. However, from where I sit, IH has backed himself into a corner. He will likely be dealt at/near draft to a rebuilding team for draft capital and a bonafide prospect or 2.

Any honest assessment of the Lightning, their cap situation right now and their focus on getting home ice for playoffs, IH beleives his agenda should supercedes that of the team.

Did he really think he could leverage the Lightning and walk into that room with that being public knowledge, with a room full of stars who ALL cut their teeth in the AHL. Yes Kucherov, Point et al...even Cooper did 3 years there.

Go look at Coopers interview on Tampa Website post game. It could not have been scripted any better. Conner Geekie gets the call up. Shows up...scores...more importantly...is humble and full of gratitude.

Maybe IH does not want to be part of the organization and this was his play all along...that is his call. Maybe, he is looking for the path of least resistance to the NHL. Kind of counters the narrative about him being ultra competitive and wanting to win. Love them or hate them, the Lighting are the class organization of the NHL for over the past decade. their player development given their often poor draft position is unrivaled.

Lasty, the one point I did not read anywhere about IH, is the obvious risk of injury before signing his pro contract. Yes he will get some NIL college money, but that does not pay out past the season. Unless he uses most of it to buy a disability policy.

Anyhow, yes it is a little disappointing as a lightning fan to have this hiccup. But I have no doubt that brisbois is ready to deal him and the lighting will come up roses as they always do. I am hoping they trade him to Chicago for a first rounder and one of their front line defense prospects.

I wouldn’t say they are a long shot. They are an equal shot because nobody knows this players location preference or even if he has one. The big thing working for the Flyers is an abundance of picks that they can outbid any other team. Having his college roommate could help him wanting to sign if the Flyers have the best offer.
- psuhockey

Why would Howard limit his choice/career opportunities by linking himself to Dorwart, who is probably not an NHL-caliber talent? Think about that.

And being able to trade for a guy is meaningless if you can't sign him.

See: Adam Fox, Carolina

Also, when's the last time a top college UFA picked the Flyers?

I'm already in draft mode and have little faith the Flyers will get lottery luck. Usually every draft there is at least 1 late rising prospect that makes it into the top 5. Last season, Sennecke from ANA went #3 overall. I do wonder if Caleb Desnoyers is that prospect to continue the tradition. I'm okay with missing out on Desnoyers if this happens. I do not believe McQueen will crack the top 5 because of his back injury (credit given to him returning this season) and Lindstrom going #4 overall last draft and finally back on the ice practicing recently after his back injury.

Why would Howard limit his choice/career opportunities by linking himself to Dorwart, who is probably not an NHL-caliber talent? Think about that.

And being able to trade for a guy is meaningless if you can't sign him.

See: Adam Fox, Carolina

Also, when's the last time a top college UFA picked the Flyers?
- Tomahawk

With Howard being drafted 31st overall, there’s no guarantee he’ll make a big impact in the NHL either.

hoping the oilers and Avs get bounced first round

Why would Howard limit his choice/career opportunities by linking himself to Dorwart, who is probably not an NHL-caliber talent? Think about that.

And being able to trade for a guy is meaningless if you can't sign him.

See: Adam Fox, Carolina

Also, when's the last time a top college UFA picked the Flyers?
- Tomahawk

Adam Fox only wanted to play for the Rangers Do you know that Howard has a specific team in mind? If not why wouldn’t he pick the Flyers? Opportunity to play early? Yes. Young team full of other players in his age group? Yes. Big market? Yes.

As far as his former roommate; it’s actually a big deal because the Flyers will know without tampering themselves whether he would sign in Philadelphia or not. In fact they probably already know if he would or wouldn’t.

Adam Fox only wanted to play for the Rangers Do you know that Howard has a specific team in mind? If not why wouldn’t he pick the Flyers? Opportunity to play early? Yes. Young team full of other players in his age group? Yes. Big market? Yes.

As far as his former roommate; it’s actually a big deal because the Flyers will know without tampering themselves whether he would sign in Philadelphia or not. In fact they probably already know if he would or wouldn’t.
- psuhockey

Karsen signed here because there is very little competition at center. It's not the same story on wing. Howard would be putting himself in a position where he would have a very difficult path to L1/PP1 minutes.

Not to mention the Flyers have been irrelevant for a decade+ and have a long history of dysfunction and poor development.

The Flyers should be pursuing Tim Washe like a slew of other teams are. Center, 6’3, 215, RHS and wins faceoffs. Hearing the Wild won’t get him. Bump, Howard and Dorwart are all LHS. Bump and Howard are LW who have to be in the top 9 to be effective.

Karsen signed here because there is very little competition at center. It's not the same story on wing. Howard would be putting himself in a position where he would have a very difficult path to L1/PP1 minutes.

Not to mention the Flyers have been irrelevant for a decade+ and have a long history of dysfunction and poor development.
- Tomahawk

It's best not to mention that because it's nonsense.

Now if I was being wooed by the Flyers, what would concern me is who will be their next coach. Why would I want to sign with a team with a Torts-ish taskmaster who has little or no desire to allow myself to grow with a young team, who has no tolerance for rookie mistakes, or who is lacking in communication skills?

Now if the Flyers are considering a younger, successful college/minor league coach (Carle, Ferschweiler, Nightingale, Pandolfo et al), I'm sure it would peak the interest of many FA's.

The Flyers had a shot at the 4th pick in the draft and now they're in the 6th spot with games in hand on Seattle and Boston. Darn Flyers can't even lose when we want them to. I know that the players are fighting for their contracts and NHL lives, but it would be nice to get the 4th pick.
I pray that this mini winning streak doesn't convince Briere to sign Shaw as the head coach. The head coach and bench coaches need to go.

hoping the oilers and Avs get bounced first round
- wcorvette

Oilers likely. McDavid and Draisaitl are def playing through something. Ekholm is out for round 1. LA has it IMO

Oilers likely. McDavid and Draisaitl are def playing through something. Ekholm is out for round 1. LA has it IMO
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Byfield has turned into a terrific player, I hope LA can get it done. Even injured McDavid will be really hard to beat. If EDM gets bounced in the 1st rd, does McDavid sign an extension over the summer? Not exactly like EDM has a young and upcoming team to build around McDavid and Draisaitl. Curious what he does.

CLB is still alive, if there is any mercy from the hockey gods, please let the Jackets stomp the Flyers in regulation.

Demidov's first game with Habs tonight. They sure gave him the red carpet treatment! I wonder who will end up having the better career (Michkov or this guy)? Habs only get one point against Da Hawks, so tomorrow night's game against the Jackets still means something. Could the Flyguys knock yet another team out of the playoffs? Is TK playing injured? For his sake I sure hope so. Eh what?

Demidov's first game with Habs tonight. They sure gave him the red carpet treatment! I wonder who will end up having the better career (Michkov or this guy)? Habs only get one point against Da Hawks, so tomorrow night's game against the Jackets still means something. Could the Flyguys knock yet another team out of the playoffs? Is TK playing injured? For his sake I sure hope so. Eh what?
- Phillywhiteout

Id rather take the L. Losses to BUF and CBJ would be huge. Unfortunately they likely win both

Id rather take the L. Losses to BUF and CBJ would be huge. Unfortunately they likely win both
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I know what you're saying, but I struggle to root for a team that I have rooted for my whole life to lose. I think they lose the Buffalo game, but it's hard to tell what will happen tonight. You'd think that the Jackets would come out with guns a blazing, but it's amazing how well teams play once they're eliminated. Detroit now scoring at will and the Rags beat the Cats last night. Habs can't finish the job against the lowly Hawks at home.