Islanders announce 8-year extension with center Bo Horvat
NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders have signed center Bo Horvat to an eight-year contract less than a week after acquiring him in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks.
The team announced the contract Sunday, after their first practice following the All-Star break. Horvat's deal is worth $68 million and carries a $8.5 million salary cap hit through the 2030-31 season.
General manager Lou Lamoriello joked to reporters at practice on Long Island that Horvat's contract was "too long and it's too much money."
The Islanders sent forward Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty and a protected first-round pick to the Canucks for Horvat on Monday. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and the trade was a result of Vancouver and Horvat's camp being unable to reach a deal last summer.
Lamoriello and Horvat expressed confidence about getting a deal done after the trade. The 27-year-old has scored more than 30 goals for a second consecutive season. Horvat is also considered one of the top 200-foot players in the NHL, meaning he excels in all facets of the game.
Horvat was chosen as an All-Star and played for the Pacific Division on Saturday despite the trade. He played with longtime Canucks teammate Elias Pettersson and combined on one last goal together before parting ways.
"I want to get going," Horvat said Saturday after the All-Star 3-on-3 tournament. "That's enough. Let's start playing some games and getting to know the guys. I just want to start playing hockey again."
Horvat was on vacation with his family in Orlando when he was traded. He said coach Lane Lambert wanted him to enjoy All-Star festivities before getting rolling with the Islanders, who play at the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
"Obviously getting my legs under me is going to be No. 1 and getting systems down and obviously chemistry with the new linemates and stuff like that," Horvat said.
After facing the Flyers and Seattle, Horvat will play against his former team when Vancouver visits UBS Arena on Thursday.
During practice on Sunday, Horvat worked on a line with star Mathew Barzal. Though both are natural centers, expect one to play on the wing for now.
Selected 9th overall in the 2013 draft by Vancouver, Horvat has 201 goals and 219 assists in 621 career regular season games, all with the Canucks. He will now be tasked with helping improve an Islanders offense that has struggled throughout the 2022-23 season.
New York will enter play on Monday two points behind Pittsburgh for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the Penguins have three games in hand. The Islanders have 30 games left in the regular season.
