Bo Horvat is packing his bags for Long Island.
The 27-year-old forward and captain of the Vancouver Canucks was traded to the New York Islanders on Monday.
In return, the Canucks get Quebecer Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty and a first-round pick in the 2023 draft. The pick will be carried over to the 2024 auction if he is in the top-12 at the end of the current season. .
Horvat was fueling rumors this season due to his unrestricted free agent status at the end of the current campaign.
“I thought I was going to be a member of the Canucks all my life. Things did not turn out that way. It really hasn’t been an easy year,” he agreed, referring to the setbacks of the team for which he played 621 games.
Horvat is playing out the final year of a six-year pact worth $33 million. He earns $5.5 million per season.
Ninth overall pick in 2013 by the Canucks, Horvat was playing his ninth season in Vancouver. In 49 games this season, he has scored 31 goals and amassed a total of 54 points.
Horvat’s 31 goals before the holiday break is already equal to his NHL career high, scored in 70 games last year.
Barely an hour after the transaction, the Canadian center, who is supposed to take part in the All-Star Game as a representative of the Pacific Division, was already giving his first impressions of his arrival on New York soil.
“I’ve only heard good words about the team, as well as the teammates I’ll have there,” said the man who rubbed shoulders with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Josh Bailey during of his appearances at the Ice Hockey World Championship.
On Barzal, the Islanders’ No. 1 center, Horvat was complimentary.
“I have a lot of respect for the way Mat plays. His ability to make plays and pass the puck. He has a lot of offensive talent, and I believe I can complement his qualities with responsible play in the three zones, ”analyzed the one who may have to convince Casey Cizikas to give him jersey no 53.
Horvat clarified that Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello did not discuss a contract extension before the trade went through.
For his part, Quebecer Anthony Beauvillier is moving to Vancouver after playing his first 457 games with the Islanders. This season, he has 20 points, including nine goals, in 49 games.
20-year-old forward Aatu Raty has played 12 games with the Islanders this season. He mainly wore the colors of the Bridgeport Islanders in the American League where he amassed 15 points in 27 games.
The Islanders and the Canucks will meet on February 9 at the UBS Arena At New York.
Training general manager Patrick Allvin said Horvat “has been a great leader and ambassador” for the team.
“As difficult as it is to trade our captain, we are excited to add a talented 25-year-old winger like Beauvillier, a young center in Raty and a protected first-round pick to our team,” Allvin said in a statement. . These elements will play a big role in our development and our future. ”
