Tanner Howe Penguins Gritty Forward

Published: June 11, 2025

⏱️ 9 min read

Track Your Collection with
Hall of Cards

Want to keep track of your sports cards and manage your collection? Download our free app to scan cards, track values, and stay updated with the latest market trends.

Download Now

Table of Contents

Introduction: Tanner Howe – Pittsburgh’s New Spark Plug?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are building for the future, and few names generate as much buzz as Tanner Howe. Known for his fierce tenacity and all-around game in the WHL, Howe is poised to make a significant impact should he join the Penguins’ roster. In this post, we’ll break down Howe’s strengths, why he’s considered a gritty game-changer, and how his style could energize Pittsburgh and shake up the NHL in the coming seasons.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tanner Howe combines fearless tenacity with intelligent playmaking, excelling in all situations including special teams play.
  • His versatility playing both center and wing makes him valuable for Pittsburgh’s transitional roster needs.
  • Howe’s relentless work ethic and leadership qualities demonstrate maturity beyond his years as an NHL prospect.
  • He must refine defensive awareness and offensive positioning to maximize his professional potential at the NHL level.
  • Howe’s gritty 200-foot game perfectly aligns with Pittsburgh’s vision for building their next championship-caliber core.

Tanner Howe’s Journey: From Regina Pats to NHL Prospect

Tanner Howe has turned heads in the Western Hockey League as a ferocious left-winger and center for the Regina Pats. Born in 2005, his quick rise is rooted in his hockey IQ, relentless work ethic, and ability to consistently battle in tough areas of the ice. Although eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, his impressive performances and leadership qualities already have fans imagining his future in a Penguins jersey.

What Makes Howe Stand Out: Grit Meets Skill

Howe is not just a workhorse; he’s a complete player. He’s lauded for his fearless approach at the net, willingness to outwork bigger opponents, and a knack for creating plays under pressure:

  • Tenacity: Never shies away from board battles or traffic in front of the net.

  • Leadership: Demonstrates maturity beyond his years and leads by example on and off the ice.

  • Versatility: Comfortable at both center and wing, excelling in all situations including special teams.

  • Playmaking: Makes smart, quick plays in tight spaces to create offensive chances.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Perfect Fit for Howe’s Grit

The Penguins are entering a transitional phase, focusing on refreshing their roster with youthful energy and two-way players. Howe’s hard-nosed style and ability to play a 200-foot game mesh perfectly with Pittsburgh’s vision for its next core. He draws comparisons to current and former NHL agitators who manage to skillfully disrupt opponents while also contributing offensively.

Areas for Growth: Steps to NHL Stardom

While Howe’s drive and fearless play make him a standout, there are elements he must refine to maximize his pro potential. Similar to other 2025 NHL prospects, development is key:

  • Defensive Awareness: Continued development in his defensive zone coverage will increase his reliability.

  • Offensive Positioning: Sharpening his puck skills and offensive instincts will elevate his scoring ceiling.

  • Physical Growth: Adding strength without sacrificing speed will help him withstand NHL rigors.

Looking to expand your sports card knowledge? Check out these related guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Tanner Howe’s playing style unique?

Tanner Howe’s playing style combines fearless tenacity with intelligent playmaking. He never shies away from board battles or traffic in front of the net, demonstrating a relentless work ethic that allows him to outwork bigger opponents. His versatility playing both center and wing, excellence in all situations including special teams, and ability to make smart, quick plays in tight spaces under pressure make him a complete player rather than just a workhorse.

When is Tanner Howe eligible for the NHL Draft?

Tanner Howe was eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. His impressive performances and leadership qualities with the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League have generated significant buzz, with Pittsburgh Penguins fans already imagining his potential impact on the team’s roster as the franchise transitions toward a younger core.

Why would Tanner Howe be a good fit for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

The Penguins are entering a transitional phase focusing on refreshing their roster with youthful energy and two-way players. Howe’s hard-nosed style, 200-foot game, and ability to skillfully disrupt opponents while contributing offensively mesh perfectly with Pittsburgh’s vision for its next core. His grit and determination could provide the spark plug energy the team needs during this rebuild phase.

What areas does Tanner Howe need to improve for NHL success?

To maximize his pro potential, Howe needs to continue developing his defensive zone coverage to increase reliability, sharpen his puck skills and offensive instincts to elevate his scoring ceiling, and add physical strength without sacrificing speed to withstand NHL rigors. While his drive and fearless play are standout qualities, refining these elements will help him transition successfully to the professional level.

Conclusion: A Gritty Star on the Rise

Tanner Howe’s blend of grit, determination, and evolving skill makes him a standout prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins—and a potential future influencer in the NHL. As he prepares to take the next step in his career, fans and analysts alike are watching to see how his relentless style could shift momentum, set standards, and energize both his team and the league. Expect Tanner Howe to bring intensity, leadership, and excitement as he aims to shake up the league for years to come.

For sports card collectors, Howe represents a compelling middle-tier prospect investment that balances risk and reward. Unlike first-round lottery picks whose rookie cards immediately command premium prices, second and third-round selections like Howe offer accessible entry points for collectors building diversified prospect portfolios. Historical data shows that “grit and character” players who successfully establish themselves as NHL regulars—think Brad Marchand, Brendan Gallagher, or Andrew Shaw—often see their card values appreciate 300-500% once they prove their value beyond junior hockey statistics. Howe’s leadership qualities and versatility across multiple positions increase his probability of carving out a long-term NHL role, even if he doesn’t become a star-level producer.

The Pittsburgh market context adds another dimension to Howe’s collectibility. Penguins fans have developed strong emotional connections to lunch-pail players who embody the city’s blue-collar identity—a tradition extending from players like Gary Roberts through current favorites. If Howe establishes himself as a fan favorite through his relentless playing style, local and regional demand for his cards could create premium pricing in Pittsburgh-area markets even if national prices remain moderate. Collectors with access to Pittsburgh card shows and local dealers should monitor this geographic premium, as it can create profitable arbitrage opportunities for those buying nationally and selling regionally.

From a development timeline perspective, Howe’s pathway to NHL impact likely spans 1-2 seasons rather than requiring extended minor league seasoning. His physical maturity, professional work ethic, and 200-foot game translate more readily to professional hockey than skill-based prospects who need years refining their offensive creativity. This compressed development timeline means collectors have a shorter window to accumulate his prospect cards at pre-breakout prices. The key monitoring points include his performance in NHL training camp, any early-season call-ups, and his deployment in high-leverage situations—penalty killing time and third-period defensive zone starts signal that coaching staff trusts his two-way game.

The broader market for “gritty forwards” has evolved significantly as analytics have quantified the value of forechecking pressure, defensive zone reliability, and penalty killing effectiveness. Modern front offices increasingly value players who suppress opposing team’s scoring chances and win puck battles—exactly the skills Howe demonstrated consistently in junior hockey. As organizational philosophies shift toward balanced rosters rather than top-heavy star-driven lineups, prospects like Howe who excel at complementary roles become more valuable both on ice and in collector markets. This trend suggests the ceiling for Howe’s card values may exceed traditional expectations for non-elite offensive producers, particularly if he develops into a core penalty kill specialist on a playoff-contending team.

Another consideration for Howe’s long-term collectibility involves his potential leadership trajectory within the Penguins organization. Players who demonstrate strong character and work ethic often transition into alternate captain or captain roles once they establish themselves as veterans—positions that carry premium collectibility regardless of statistical production. If Howe follows a career arc similar to players like Jordan Staal or Ryan Callahan, who became respected leaders despite modest offensive totals, his cards could maintain steady demand based on his role within the organization rather than pure point production. This leadership premium becomes particularly valuable for collectors targeting players with 10-15 year NHL careers rather than flashy superstars with shorter peaks.

Finally, the grading and population report dynamics for Howe’s cards favor early-stage accumulation strategies. As a non-lottery prospect, his cards have been pulled and graded in relatively modest quantities compared to top-five selections, meaning high-grade examples remain attainable at reasonable premiums. As he establishes NHL success and demand increases, the limited population of gem mint examples could drive significant price appreciation for collectors who invested in grading his prospect and rookie cards before general market awareness caught up to his value. This supply constraint represents one of the most compelling arguments for accumulating Howe’s cards during his developmental years, when grading submission costs remain modest and the population reports stay manageable for future market participants seeking high-grade examples.