The Vancouver Canucks spent months trying to get a deal done with All-Star forward Bo Horvat but failed. The New York Islanders, on the other hand, managed to do it in less than a week.
The Islanders announced on Sunday that they had signed Horvat to a long-term deal just six days after being traded to New York by the Canucks. Horvat inked an eight-year extension that will keep him with the franchise through the 2030-31 season.
The Islanders didn’t reveal the financial details of the agreement, but the reports say the total worth is $68 million, with Horvat receiving $8.5 million on average annually. This is $4 million more than the reported contract extension offer he had from the Canucks.
The team’s general manager Lou Lamoriello didn’t confirm or deny the numbers involved but did hint that keeping Horvat past this season didn’t come cheaply.
“All I can tell you, it’s too long, and it’s too much money,” Lamoriello jokingly said when asked about Horvat’s deal.
The Islanders sent highly-rated prospect Aatu Raty, forward Anthony Beauvillier, and a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to Vancouver for Horvat’s services. The two-time All-star has 31 goals and 23 assists for a total of 54 points this season.
