Jake’s Take on The Bo Horvat Trade

Bo Horvat, former center for the Vancouver Canucks, was recently traded to the New York Islanders in a shocking move. Horvat had been with the Canucks for his entire NHL career, making him not only a fan favorite and a key player for the team. but a leader in the room. In exchange for Horvat, the Canucks received forward Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty (Pronounced Ah-too Rah-too), and a conditional first-round pick in 2023.

Horvat had been the captain of the Canucks for the past 6 seasons and was a reliable player both on and off the ice. He is known for his strong leadership and his ability to step up in clutch moments, making him a valuable asset for the Islanders. With Horvat, the Islanders are getting a top-line center who can contribute to both ends of the ice and bring a winning mentality to the team.

For the Canucks, the trade was a difficult decision, but one that they felt was necessary for the long-term success of the team. The return package of Beauvillier, Raty, and the first-round pick is a solid haul, providing the team with a young forward, a promising prospect, and a valuable draft asset. The team is in a “re-tooling” phase, and this trade will allow them to continue to build for the future.

In my opinion, this is the first time upper management has pointed out any signs of a rebuild. The condition on the First round pick is unique as it’s top 12 protected, and gives Lou Lamoriello, GM of the Islanders, the option for the pick. This means that if the Islander end up receiving a top 12 pick they can choose to defer that pick to 2024 unprotected or let Patrick Allvin and the Canucks take it. The importance of this is huge as it could determine the entire direction of the franchise next year as the 2023 Draft is shaping up to be the best since 2005 which saw the likes of Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, Carey Price and T.J Oshie just to name a few in the first round!

The trade of Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders is a significant moment for both teams. The Islanders are getting a top-line center and a proven leader, while the Canucks are receiving a solid return package that will help them continue to build for the future. The trade is a testament to the constant movement and change in the NHL and highlights the importance of making decisions for the long-term success of a team.