Bo Horvat Says Who Should Be The Next Canucks Captain

Bo Horvat Says Who Should Be The Next Canucks Captain

The Canucks officially need a new captain. Bo Horvat was the Canucks captain but a replacement is needed after Vancouver just traded him to the Islanders. During All-Star weekend, Horvat made no secret about how he thinks the Canucks should name as captain in his absence.

The easy choice is Elias Pettersson. In fairness, management has already come out and said he’s the only untouchable on the roster. Pettersson is also Vancouver’s best player by a country mile. Check out what Horvat had to say about Pettersson potentially becoming the next captain in Vancouver.

“He’d be my vote if it came to it, and I’m sure one of these days, (the captain’s ‘C’ is) going to go on his chest,” Horvat said Thursday during media day for the 2023 All-Star Game, according to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “So, if it does, I couldn’t be more happy for him, and he’s obviously going to be a great captain.”

“He’s grown even more this year with his leadership on the ice,” the 27-year-old said. “He’s starting to say stuff in the room, and he’s really come into his own this year.

“I can’t say enough good stuff about Petey; the way he’s played this year and the way he handles himself, and he’s emerging as a great leader and a great player. And I’m sure he’s going to take on a bigger role here, an even bigger role than he already has.”

Is Elias Pettersson Untouchable?

Horvat was named the Canucks captain in 2019. However, Pettersson has always been the best player on the team. Pettersson, 24, leads Vancouver with 279 points in 292 games since making his NHL debut in 2018. If Vancouver is going to turn things around, it starts with Pettersson.