The New York Islanders have agreed a trade for Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat, in an ambitious deal with the Canadian NHL side.
The Islanders have been looking for a player like Horvat for some time and, as part of the trade, the Canucks will receive forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Aatu Raty, and a conditional first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Horvat was drafted ninth overall back in 2013, but will play his hockey away from Canada for the very first time.
After breaking through with OHL side London Knights, Horvat was picked up by the Canucks and has been a crucial player ever since. The trade came as a "shock" to the 27-year-old, but Horvat has admitted he's looking forward to the challenge.
"Obviously, a little bit in shock and it's kind of a been a big whirlwind for me right now and my family," Horvat said. "I've heard lots of unbelievable things about the organization, the city and all the players on it and nothing but respect for this organization.
"So, really, really looking forward to it, the family is looking forward to it and I want to help this team out as best as possible any way I can." The Islanders are hoping that the addition of Horvat can help them qualify for the Stanley Cup play-offs this season, with general manager Lou Lamoriello claiming he makes them a much better team.
"In my opinion, he makes us a better team and gives us a better opportunity to get what we want to do," Lamoriello said. "I've always believed that during a year you find out whether you have a chance to get in the playoffs, that's your first goal, and then once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen.
"We've seen that year in and year out. I believe he improves us to give us that opportunity to get in the playoffs and then we'll go one step at a time."
However, there is some risk to the deal as Horvat is out of contract at the end of this season. Horvat is in the final year of his $33million six-year deal, and was due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.
The Canucks have managed to negotiate a great offer for Horvat, especially as it was likely that he wouldn't re-sign and be free to join a new team ahead of next season. The Islanders have gone all-in on Horvat with the hopes that they can tie him down to a new deal, but at this moment in time Horvat is still free to speak to new teams at the end of the season.
"I think it's important to do it as soon as possible and we'll work at it and do the best we can," Lamoriello added about securing a new deal for Horvat. "… We'll do everything we can to get it done."
But Horvat seems open to penning what's expected to be a bumper extension, as he said: "This kind of all happened so fast, so no talk on that, yet. We'll see if we can get something done, but I'll leave that to (agent) Pat [Morris] and everybody to handle that."
