Free Agent in Waiting: Why Isaac Howard Should Be the Rangers' Next Big Steal

Teams put a lot of thought and analysis into drafting players. But as soon as their name is called, a sense of pressure and expectations are pinned to each prospect. Taking a step back and reviewing this from a player's perspective, it can be a jarring experience. Most of these kids aren't empowered and have very little control over their near-term future or the start to their professional hockey career. And, many outsiders to these scenarios would say they're lucky and should be grateful.

For decades now, this is just the way it's been. In the NHL, however, there are steps drafted players can take to better seek out the future they specifically want. It doesn't happen frequently, but it does happen. In these situations, the media often demonizes the young player and rabble-rouses fans to chastise and drag them, which proves to get messy. Look no further than Cutter Gauthier with the Philadelphia Flyers or Rutger McGroarty with the Winnipeg Jets within the last two years. But, before we all bust out our soapbox to preach about entitled kids, let me remind you: the Rangers have benefitted from these situations just as much (if not more) than many other teams.

Kevin Hayes, initially drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, went back to Boston College for a fourth and final season before entering free agency and settling on the Rangers. Jimmy Vesey did the same two years later. And perhaps the biggest example in Rangers' history is Adam Fox, whose rights were traded not once, but twice, before he signed with the Rangers to fulfill his childhood dream.

As the NHL year winds down, there appears to be another high profile prospect that is gearing up to test the free agency waters next summer. That player is the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2022 first-round pick, Isaac Howard.