The draft is upon us; the Detroit Red Wings are selecting eighth in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and likely have a good idea of who they will choose. The question is who they will be and which name on their shortlist is the player that they grab.
With a history of making quality draft decisions, the Detroit Red Wings should be in an excellent spot to make things happen by taking quality players who have immediately impacted the team in multiple facets. The Red Wings must consider taking Isaac Howard with the eighth overall pick.
The United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) product has much to like about his game. The offense shows, and his statistics back it up. He’s been able to get the job done and be a benefit to the USNTDP program and is now looking to carry that on with a professional team.
Howard is committed to go to the University of Minnesota-Duluth to play for the Bulldogs, who are always at the top of college hockey, aiming for a National Championship. As the Red Wings weigh out their options, Howard needs to be at the top.
The Detroit Red Wings need to consider drafting Isaac Howard eighth overall.
Howard stands 5-foot-10 and weighs in at 181 pounds as a left-handed shooting winger. He’s coming off of a solid performance with the national team, producing 33 goals and 49 assists for 82 points over 60 games played. Howard also managed 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 total points over 27 games played against USHL teams.
Howard also scored six goals and had five assists for 11 total points in six games at the World Junior Championships. There’s a lot to like with his ability to make things happen in the offensive zone. He can finish off plays with a quick release shot and can also use good stickhandling to finish on breakaway chances.
Isaac Howard's "hunger to score goals" sets him apart at the 2022 NHL Draft@sportsology shares this interview with the @USAHockeyNTDP forward about his game and the upcoming draft on Rinkside.@UMDMensHockey
🔗: https://t.co/o664wZr0Rm pic.twitter.com/GBCeWCxngr
— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) July 2, 2022
The clip above makes his chemistry with his linemates easy to see. He gets set up with a quick pass and is able to get through the defense and score a goal. If you look up more highlights of Howard on Twitter, you’ll see some insane passing plays with his linemates, finding ways to set up high-danger chances and produce offense.
The Red Wings should take a few things away from this as they continue their draft prep. The left-winger can benefit team chemistry; if he fits with the right group, they’re going to be a cemented line that has success. The second thing is his offensive tools are very polished, and his time with the USNTDP has shown that.
http://gty.im/1365256570
With a commitment to the UMD Bulldogs, there could be room for even more development if he gets a season or two under his belt before signing. However, the Red Wings want an impactful forward as soon as they can get him into the organization.
It feels like Howard can be that guy as well, getting into the system right away. Rebuild timing is going to be the big determinant. Howard is a top-tier player that the Red Wings have to be in on with the eighth overall pick.
