Brewin Flames Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Islanders Agree to Terms with Horvat Islanders have agreed to terms with forward Bo Horvat on an eight-year contract by New York Islanders PR @NYIslanders / NewYorkIslanders.com 19 minutes ago The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with forward Bo Horvat on an eight-year contract. He was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, Jan. 30. This past weekend, Horvat represented the Islanders at the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend, along with forward Brock Nelson and goalie Ilya Sorokin. Horvat, 27, is averaging over a point-per-game with 54 (31 goals and 23 assists) in 49 games with the Canucks this season, his ninth in the NHL. This season, Horvat is second in the NHL in face-offs taken (1,116), and is averaging a 56% win percentage. The Canucks selected Horvat ninth overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. In 621 games, all with Vancouver, the London, Ontario native has 201 goals and 219 assists for 420 points. He served as the team captain of the Canucks for the past four seasons. Horvat has competed in 23 career Stanley Cup playoff games, scoring 11 goals and five assists for 16 points. He represented Vancouver at the 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, CA. Horvat played three seasons with his hometown London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The Knights won the J. Ross Robertson Cup (awarded to the OHL Champion) twice while Horvat played in London. In 2013, Horvat scored a league-leading 16 goals in 21 playoff games and was awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP. In 2018, Horvat was a member of Team Canada's World Championship team alongside current Islanders Josh Bailey, Mathew Barzal, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Ryan Pulock. Horvat scored seven points (three goals and four assists) in 10 games during the tournament. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TropicalFruitGirl26 Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Well, the Islanders pretty much HAD to make this happen. Otherwise, they would have looked quite foolish giving up what they did (though admittedly, a bit underwhelming for a player of Horvat's ilk), only to have Bo walk on them at season's end. And they kept his AAV under 9M, which is a pretty good feat on its own, as I thought for sure, Horvat would want at minimum 9M... or maybe something in the 9.5+ neighborhood. That 500K may not seem like much, but it does add up, plus, it sends a message to players that if a star player like Horvat can agree to a sub 9M AAV contract, others can too, to help facilitate a more competitive roster. Sorta like Steven Stamkos did with the Tampa Bay Lightning. I just hope the Islanders management and coaching don't suppress Horvat's natural offensive instincts as I know they are primarily a defense first type team. Horvat is already a top level two way player....just let him be him and allow him to elevate his linemates as he did with Vancouver. Good deal for the Islanders, their fans....and good for Horvat who got his big payday. Will the Islanders be smart about building a competitor to maximize their newest signee? That will remain to be seen. Horvat, Barzal, Lee up front... Pelech, Pulock, Dobson at the blue line.... Sorokin in goal. I'd say that isn't a bad core at all.....but the proof will be in the details surrounding those players. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JR Ewing Posted February 6 Popular Post Share Posted February 6 What cracked me up was Lou Lamoriello's comment on the contract: ""All I can tell you is it's too long and it's too much money". We can certainly say this: Bo Horvat is a good hockey player, but the Isles didn't get one penny of discount and are buying high. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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