Dec 13: With speculation running wild, Horvat has (very unusually) released a statement through the club:
I am focused on this season and playing for the Vancouver Canucks, helping the team in any way I can. I will not have any further comments this year about my future.
Dec 12: While there’s been near-weekly reports about the Vancouver Canucks and Bo Horvat growing further apart in extension negotiations, it seems today’s update might be the nail in the coffin for Horvat’s future in British Columbia. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun added to a report from CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal that Horvat rejected an offer from the Canucks “a couple of weeks ago,” saying the team is now entirely focused on Horvat’s trade market between now and the March 3 deadline.
Speculation will now be entirely focused on potential destinations and, more so for Canucks fans, possible return packages.
It’s a foregone conclusion that the Canucks would ask for a high-end defense prospect as the centerpiece of any Horvat trade. The 2023 NHL Draft, while stacked, is weak with defensemen, especially near the top. For the team’s most significant area of need, trading for an already-drafted defenseman will likely spark the team’s pool of young players.
Trading for Ethan Bear helped in the short-term for Vancouver, who was bleeding goals against early in the season. But it doesn’t solve the issue that Jack Rathbone, a 95th overall pick, remains the organization’s top prospect on defense.
When you think of contenders looking to add at center at the deadline, you think of the Colorado Avalanche. It does make sense that they would have an interest in Horvat when the time comes, but whether there’s a trade fit there is less certain. Considering Bowen Byram is likely untouchable, the organization doesn’t have any under-23 defensemen that would move the needle for Vancouver.
There is, however, Samuel Girard. If Vancouver remains insistent on making moves like a team with playoff aspirations, that acquisition could make some sense. He’s off to yet another disappointing start this season though, with just five points in 20 games. While it looked like a sure bet two years ago that Girard would develop into a high-end top-four defenseman, doubts are beginning to grow.
For now, it’s wait-and-see time for the Canucks. Horvat’s value is at its peak with his goal-scoring through the roof, leading to what could be a franchise-altering deadline deal.
Bruins have a need at 2C after this year. I think they should take a shot. Need to make cap work and I’m sure VAN would want a high pick as well but they don’t have the leverage to get everything they want.
It would be tricky to do but my offer would be:
Horvat – retained to match salary
For
Zboril, Merkulov/Harrison, Smith, conditional 1st (condition that Horvat resigns, otherwise becomes a 3rd).
VAN gets a young defensemen and a good offensive prospect plus a potential 1st rounder.
BOS goes all in on 2022-23 sacrificing one of their best prospects and has a shot at negotiating a 2C for next year.
The two teams have already made one deal this year. Let’s make it happen.
Can no longer have a conditional pick on re-signing or resigning! LOL
The Canucks would wound Lysell back.
I choose to believe that this comment was typed correctly and is a savage commentary on the history of the Canucks franchise.
@66TheNumberOfTheBest—Maybe 5 for spearing and a decade of darkness? :) (Either that or it was typed on that POS Redragon keyboard.)
Horvat and Rathbone to Pitt for Kapanen and PO Joseph…or to Buff for Midelstadt and Krebs … or outside team to Seattle for Geekie and Borgan…There is more teams I could pick..
Would love to see the Red Wings make a run for Bo. Package could include Bertuzzi and Vrana as well as a few of their AHL defense prospects such as Johansson, Viro, McIssac, Serbango…
Gonna have to wait till Bert and Vrana are playing again….and that would be too late for Horvat. Also Bert and Vrana are wingers, Van needs RD and C.
They want a good young defenseman why not a straight trade for Edvinsson?
Straight up for Edvinsson
lel. Yeah…no.
Florida for Ekblad.