Former Vancouver Canucks captain, Bo Horvat, has signed an 8-year extension with his new team, the New York Islanders.
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The Islanders acquired Horvat last week, sending forward Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty, and a conditional 1st round pick in 2023. The condition for this pick is it’s top 12 protected, meaning if the Islanders miss the playoffs and their selection falls into the top 12, the Canucks will receive the Islanders 1st round pick in 2024 completed unprotected.
It was a questionable move for the Islanders to acquire Horvat, as the team is currently not in a playoff spot. They sit 2 points out of the final wild-card spot. That spot is currently occupied by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have two games in hand compared to the Islanders.
Horvat is having a career year, with him currently having 31 goals, 23 assists, for 54 points in 49 games. His career high in goals is 31, which he achieved last season in 70 games. He’s on-pace to destroy his career highs in goals and in points. Additionally, he’s a great faceoff man and leader that the Islanders can rely on.
Horvat AAV is $8.5M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 5, 2023
The deal is widely regarded as a risky one for the Islanders, as they currently do not sit in a playoff spot, and signed him for 8 years at $8.5 million. Horvat is worth that contract for his production this year, but his highest point total came in the 2018-19 season when he scored 61 points in a full 82-game season.
He’s 8 points away from creating a new career high, which he most certainly will hit this season. It’s a risky move for the Islanders, but they are hoping he only continues to develop and become a core piece for the team for the next 8 years. He’s just entering his prime and can be the missing scoring piece that the Islanders desperately need this season.
Horvat has played 621 career NHL games, having 201 goals and 219 assists, for 420 points. He will play his first game for the Islanders tonight when the Islanders face off against the Flyers in Philidelphia.