The Canucks Have Given Up Trying To Re-Sign Bo Horvat
If it wasn’t official before, it is now. Bo Horvat is going to be traded. Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford cave a very candid response when asked about his captain. Horvat is having a career year and the Canucks have given up trying to re-sign him. He’s priced himself out of negotiations.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to take those steps,” Rutherford added. “We’re stuck with contracts that we can’t move. Until we move those out or until they expire, it’s going to be hard to take those steps.”
“I believe we’ve taken our best shot [in the Horvat negoations]. With the offer we have on the table right now is fair value for what he’s done up to this year,” Rutherford said. “We’re in a pickle here. He’s had a career run and he’s looking for his money.
I’ve made cases for the Avalanche and Bruins when it comes to landing Horvat via trade. Carolina could maybe be a suitor as well. There is no question that Horvat has raised his market value with the heater season he’s having. Vancouver should expect a pretty good return for Horvat despite the fact that he’s a pure rental.
Horvat, 27, has 30 goals and 48 points in just 43 games with the Canucks this season. He also carries a $5.5 million AAV. A number that shouldn’t be too difficult to work in a deal, especially if and when Vancouver retains 50% of the salary to maximize the return.
There are going to be a lot of changes in Vancouver coming. It’s only a matter of time before Rick Tocchet gets the head coaching job there. A firesale is coming.
