BO HORVAT IS A NEW YORK ISLANDER!
The New York Islanders announced last night that they’ve acquired Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks, in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and a conditional first round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. The conditional 2023 first round pick is top-12 protected.
NEW GUY ON THE ISLAND:
Bo Horvat was the Vancouver Canucks captain and was a career Canucks thus far, he was the 9th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He has played 621 NHL games, all with the Canucks. He had a statline of 201 goals and 219 assists for 420 points. 0.676 PPG player sounds great for the Islanders.
He is having the season of his career so far, even with a Canucks team that is struggling real bad. He was nominated to be the Canucks All-Star representative at this year's All-star Game in Florida. He will still represent the Canucks at the game and event which will take place on February 3-4. This will be his second time going to the All-Star game, he represented the Canucks in 2017. He was also named as one of the four alternate captains of the Canucks in 2017, he was Canucks' 14th captain in franchise history on October 9, 2019.
Lou Lamoriello and your newest Islanders met with the media yesterday and shared that Horvat has not yet signed an extension. I personally doubt that Lamoriello would make this deal unless an extension is likely and I trust that, I think Lou will get this done. Horvat is in the final year of his 6 year, $33M ($5.5M AAV) deal that he signed in 2017. Lamoriello also announced that Vancouver retained 25% of his salary which would be $1.375M out of his $5.5M that he’ll make this year, but obviously this season is ⅔ of the way through so I’m not sure on the exact math for the retained money.
BEAUVILLIER + RÄTY TO VAN.
While Beau was a fan favorite especially after his Game 6 OT goal vs. TBL in 2021, he has struggled this season. He was a healthy scratch at some point last season and just hasn't been producing like he used to/how we thought he would. Beau is an incredible playoff performer but looks like he won't see any playoff action this season with the Canucks. I think Beau is still a good player and just needed a fresh start with a team that is more offensive minded. I hope Beau finds his game in Vancouver, wishing him the absolute best.
Beauvillier finished his Islanders career with 457 games played with a statline of 102G, 107A, 209P with his most incredible moment as an Islanders by a landslide being his Game 6 OT goal.
Losing Räty is a huge blow. I won't lie, this kid is going to be a star in this league one day. He has a great shot and a high hockey IQ and I thought he looked great in his few games for the Islanders. But with that being said, I understand that he had to be a part of this trade. Vancouver wasn't going to do this deal with a guy like Räty involved. Lou did what he had to do and I respect him finally making an offensive move for this team. Räty is a great hockey player and I hope he continues to thrive in Vancouver, nothing but the best to him.
Räty finished his brief Islanders career with 12 games played with a statline of 2G, 0A, 2P. His most incredible moment was his first NHL goal against the Florida Panthers in his first NHL game just over a month ago.
With Beau moved to VAN that officially breaks up the Barzal/Beauvillier duo that we all loved for years. Love these two guys although it was sadly the time to separate them.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BO:
“A complete two-way center who excels in his own end; first and foremost he is a competitor. Horvat always plays like there are 5 seconds left, and doesn't take a shift off. He plays to win, not for himself, but for the team. He is dependable in any situation and is exceptional in the face-off circle. Can finish chances as well as create them.” -Elite Prospects
Bo is a great faceoff guy which is great for the Islanders and something they’ve needed. He has a great shot and is great at tipping pucks. Elite Prospects projects that Horvat will finish the 2022-23 NHL Season with 87 points and 50 goals. FIFTY GOALS.
His usual number 53 is worn by current Islander Casey Cizikas and has been worn by Cizikas for years now. He said that Cizikas “represented the No. 53 very well.” The Islanders announced yesterday that Horvat will wear #14, last worn by William Dufour two weeks ago.
FAMILIAR FACES?
Bo Horvat played with J.G. Pageau, Mat Barzal, Josh Bailey and Ryan Pulock at the World Championships representing Canada. Bo spoke highly of Islanders C Mat Barzal and seems excited to get started.
Bo Horvat: “I have a lot of respect for Mat (Barzal's) game.”
Horvat on Barzal: “He’s got a lot of offensive talent. I think I can complement that with some two way play. If we do get the opportunity to play with each other I’d really enjoy that.”
QUOTES:
Lou Lamoriello and Bo Horvat spoke to the Islanders media an hour or so after the trade was announced.
Bo Horvat: “I'm grateful that the New York Islanders really believed in me and [I'm] proud to be a New York Islander now, honestly, and I can't wait.”
Bo Horvat: “I thought I was gonna be a Canuck for life to be honest with you. Things didn’t work out that way. It led me to this, so I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful that the New York Islanders really believe in me.”
Bo Horvat on a potential extension with the Islanders: “Nothing has been discussed yet. It all happened so fast. We'll see if we can get something done.”
Bo Horvat: "I'm a little bit in shock. It's a bit of a whirlwind for me and my family, but I'm really excited. I've heard some unbelievable things about the organization.
Horvat said he hasn’t given his new number much thought yet. Will talk to his family about it. Casey Cizikas has “represented the No. 53 very well.”
Lou Lamoriello: “I dispute that it's a trade just this year. It's our intention to retain him certainly for more than this year.”
Lamoriello on extending Horvat: “I feel confident that whenever you make a transaction like this, you make it for a player who has character and knows what a team gives up... He'll recognize that quickly and hopefully we'll get that done.”
Lamoriello on losing a 1st-round pick: “It's always tough. It's never easy. I believe that we have some excellent prospects here right now that will play in the NHL”