Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

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This week, I am rolling out a two-part series on the NCAA talent pool, highlighting prospects who are making serious noise at the collegiate level. Some are on the cusp of an NHL debut, ready to take the plunge, while others still need time to round out their game. Whether they're future stars or just starting to scratch the surface, there is always plenty to unpack, so let's get into it!

Isaac Howard – LW

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect pool is not the deepest, but Howard, their 2022 first-round pick, is proving to be a gem. His development has been a steady climb and his recent performances leave no doubt that he is a top-tier prospect in system. Howard started his college career with the University of Minnesota Duluth; however, his transfer to Michigan State University is what propelled his development. Last season, he posted a point-per-game pace of eight goals and 36 points in 36 games which also earned him a spot on Team USA's roster for the 2024 World Junior Championships. During USA's gold medal run, Howard posted seven goals and two assists in seven games, including a pair of clutch goals in the championship against Sweden, showing just how well he perform on the big stage.

🗣️ USA USA USA

ISAAC HOWARD FOR THE SHOOTOUT WINNER pic.twitter.com/uAx5PMCKhV

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 29, 2023

Looking at him offensively, he is a well-rounded player combining with great playmaking and a solid shot. His goal-scoring last year was not particularly eye-popping; however, this year he has taken it to another level. Through 27 games, Howard is leading the league with 20 goals and 39 points, which is a massive leap from his first two seasons, where he recorded only 14 goals in 71 games.

Isaac Howard wins it in the shootout to get the extra point for @MSU_Hockey 💥 #B1GHockey pic.twitter.com/IAjkkHKlXC

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) January 26, 2025

He was recently named the Big Ten's First Star of the Week and currently sits among the NCAA leaders in points per game (1.44) with Jimmy Snuggerud trailing closely behind him with 1.32 ppg. Howard is now in his third NCAA season, his second with Michigan State. Making the decision to return back to the collegiate level looks to have paid off, giving him the opportunity to refine his game and dominate the competition.

#GoBolts GM BriseBois on prospect Isaac Howard (@MSU_Hockey), who he saw play on Friday:

"I've seen Isaac on video a lot this year and I could see he'd taken a step. But seeing it live, it was impressive. Even meeting with him after the game, like, you can tell he's spending…

— Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) January 27, 2025

All signs point to Howard signing his entry-level contract with the Lightning after this season, potentially making his NHL debut next year. As already mentioned, Tampa's prospect pipeline isn't the deepest, however Howard's emergence will be important, as his success will be key as the Lightning aim to stay competitive in the coming years.

Quinn Finley – LW

New York Islanders

The Islanders' prospect pool sits somewhere around the middle of the pack, not exactly stacked, but not empty either. That said, Finley is quickly carving out a spot as one of the more intriguing names making his way up in their system. Since being drafted in 2022, Finley has changed his game and presence on the ice by adding muscle to his frame, putting any doubt about his size to rest while taking major positive strides in his overall game.

Quinn Finley is the nation's leader with 16 goal and the nation's leader with 29 points.

He can make a pass too 👀 pic.twitter.com/hKnpyapzuS

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 8, 2025

Currently in his sophomore season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, Finley has already surpassed his last season numbers (10 goals and 16 points in 36 games) with 18 goals and 33 points in 24 games. He is leading the Badgers in points and is top five in scoring int the NCAA. His offensive toolkit is nothing short of impressive – elite hands, a lethal shot, sharp playmaking to find open teammates, and the ability to drive play. On the defensive side, he still needs some work, but he is slowly developing into a reliable two-way player.

OH MY QUINN FINLEY 😱

The Badgers get two from Finley and Fitzgerald for a 3-3 tie heading into the third 👀 #B1GHockey x @BadgerMHockey pic.twitter.com/pYVI8ijRsQ

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) January 26, 2025

While he is having a breakout campaign, there's still room to cultivate his raw talent. However, his potential is impossible to ignore. Another year in Wisconsin will help him refine his game. If Finley keeps trending the way he is, there's no reason he couldn't project a ceiling of a future 30-goal scorer at the NHL level, assuming his game continues to translate seamlessly. For Islanders fans, Finley represents a much-needed injection of offensive upside in their prospect pool. He is a player to watch closely, as everything hints at a bright future at the professional level.

Zeev Buium – D

Minnesota Wild

There is not much more to say about Buium that hasn't already been said, but can I speak for everyone when I say we are all eagerly waiting to see him in the NHL? At just 19 years old, he is already cementing himself as one of the top young defensemen in hockey who has yet to hit the NHL. Internationally, he is a proven winner. He has gold medals at the U18 Worlds, World Juniors, and NCAA and NCHC championships highlighting his ability to come up big for his team when it matters.

Buium's skating is phenomenal, elite edgework and an he has the uncanny ability to escape pressure during breakouts. His defensive game still needs work; however, what he can do when he has the puck greatly outweighs any deficiencies he has when it comes to his defensive skills. That being said, at the 2025 World Juniors, he delivered a standout performance against top-tier competition and logged heavy minutes throughout the tournament, including a near 28 minutes of ice time in the gold medal game as an anchor in Team USA's championship run.

Zeev Buium gave no chance to Elijah Neuenschwander.🥶@usahockey #WorldJuniors #USASUI #IIHF pic.twitter.com/SsXmxHOYIC

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 2, 2025

Buium thrives as a puck-moving defensemen is simply an offensive threat, especially on special teams. With Faber and Buium, the Minnesota Wild will have two defensemen capable of logging 25–28 minutes a night, a rare luxury, especially considering both were drafted outside the top 10. Faber is already proving his worth, and adding Buium gives the Wild two No. 1 defensemen. That level of depth on the blue line is nothing short of incredible.

Zeev Buium with the out of this world setup, and Rieger Lorenz (#MnWild) with the finish. Denver leads 2-0. pic.twitter.com/CbsLGOA9Dc

— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) April 13, 2024

Jack Devine

Florida Panthers

Devine is wrapping up his final year at the University of Denver and has earned a reputation as a consistent point producer and reliable contributor. He is having a great year with 33 points (5 goals, 28 assists) in just 24 games this season, even though his goal-scoring has slowed down a bit compared to previous years. Last year he set a career point totals (56 points in 44 games) earning himself a Hobey Baker nomination while also helping in leading the Denver Pioneers to a national championship. He has become a well-rounded player that is just simply hard working, not the fastest on the ice, but he has the capability to impact the game with his playmaking and physicality.

Jack Devine is closing in on 50 career goals.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/oMg7ZtEzpj

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 1, 2025

A great pass from Jack Devine and a fiery shot by Aidan Thompson makes Denver's goal-ahead tally tonight's @Safeway Goal of the Game.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/Aex5d3xKyz

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 3, 2024

Devine has been Denver's playmaking catalyst this season, leading the team with 28 assists. His vision is top-notch, threading passes in tight spaces, and he is more than capable of holding onto the puck to make plays. However, his true value lies on the other end of the ice. His strong work ethic and two-way game will make him a great fixture for a mid to bottom-six NHL role, with some power-play potential. Projecting him as a top-six player may not be realistic, even with his collegiate point production, but he fits well as a reliable defensive forward who is tough in puck battles and good at disrupting plays in his own zone.

After his senior season, Devine's transition to pro hockey seems like a no-brainer. If he signs with the Panthers, he could get some NHL time toward the end of the year. Given his steady development and mature playstyle, the Panthers might have just found a diamond in the rough.

Good lord, Massimo Rizzo (#LetsGoFlyers) with a look-off feed for the ages to set up the Jack Devine (#TimeToHunt) tap-in for the 4-1 goal. pic.twitter.com/W0CuhR6RTf

— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) December 2, 2023

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.