Bo Horvat signs $68 million contract with Islanders as Canucks Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes don “A’s” jersey, NHL Twitter reacts
Bo Horvat signs an enormous $68 million contract with New York Islanders as he states he’s ready to be locked down for long years with his new team.
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Bo Horvat [Image Credit: Practice - NHL]
It’s been a week since Vancouver Canucks traded their captain Bo Horvat to Long Island. Recently the forward signed a massive $68 million contract with the New York Islanders for 8 years. According to reports he will carry a cap hit of $8.5 million till the 2030-31 season.
It’s been an emotional month for Horvat who embraced the change of team, the first since his drafted by the Canucks in the 2013 season. Starting with Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau being replaced by Rick Tocchet, the team has been going through some extensive changes.
It has also been reported that Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and defenceman Quinn Hughes will be named alternate captains for the team and will don the “A’s” jersey. They’ll be assisting J.T. Miller and Oliver-Ekman Larsson who have been acting as alternate captains since last season.
Bo Horvat is to face off against former team Canucks this week
Bo Horvat after penning his deal with Islanders stated, “A lot of it had to do with culture, organization”. “I think they can win right now. They have a great core group of guys here that know what it takes to win, and I can’t wait to be part of that here for eight more years.”
“It’s a relief to be honest with you”. “It’s been a mental grind of a year to say the least. To finally lock it in and kind of be set up … the unknowing was the thing that was kind of hindering me and my family the most, so to be locked in here for eight years is special to me.”
Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello stated that whenever you are giving such a hefty return, you want to keep the player in your team for the long run. He stated that Horvat’s contract “it’s too long and it’s too much money”. Without the deal with the Islanders Horvat would have turned into an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Lou praised Horvat and his capability to play and make goals stating, “I’m pleased that we’ve got a player of this calibre, who brings it every night, is a 200-foot player, and there’s no question he’ll be an asset to our team”. Horvat also got to indulge in a bit of a break at the NHL All-Star as he partnered up with his former teammate Elias Pettersson.
During the interview, he even went ahead to vote for Pettersson as the next captain for the Canucks. Prior to the NHL break week starting, Horvat wrote an emotional thanks letter “To Our Canucks Family”, posting it on his Instagram page.
Canucks who failed to tie Horvat with their contract said on January 16, “I believe we’ve taken our best shot. The contract we have on the table for Bo right now is fair value for what he’s done up to this year”.
“It’s certainly under market value for what he’s done this year so we’re in a pickle here. He’s had a career year, and he’s looking for his money. He deserves it. I don’t blame him,” Jim Rutherford commented.
A new life would be waiting for Horvat right now, with his loosening up to his new team and linemate. He’ll also be facing his former team on Thursday at UBS Arena. Islanders captain Anders Lee commented on Horvat, “His pedigree as a player is extremely strong”.
“He’s going to help everybody. He’s got [leadership] under his belt (as captain of the Canucks). He’s been in this position before, knows how to lead a team and lead by example. He plays extremely hard every night, he’s always been a tough matchup for us on the other side, so it’ll be good that he’s with us now.”
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