Bo Horvat trade to the Islanders: Great news for the Canucks and Aatu Raty

Patrik Allvin opted to trade the team's captain to the New York Islanders, hoping to change the culture and mindset of his Canucks. Amid inconclusive contract extension talks, the Canucks traded Bo Horvat in a blockbuster deal:

While it seemed as if the first-round Selection was meant to be the biggest asset in this trade, the young Fin Aatu Raty has slowly been developing into an NHLer, and he may wind up being this trade's top asset.

His constant evolution at the AHL Level is showing lots of promise. Only 21, he's established himself as a dominant force for the Abbotsford Canucks, ranked as the team's top centerman prospect and 5th amongst the team's prospects ahead of Arshdeep Bains (6th), who's seen by many as a potential contender for an NHL spot at training camp.

After a first professional season during which he collected 27 points through 52 games, Raty exploded in 2023-2024 and collected 52 through 72 games. Raty was once previewed as the top pick of his draft class but fell to number 52 for various reasons. If he were to live up to his once so-high potential, the Canucks could have made a heck of a steal out of the trade for their former captain.

Source: Canucks Army
CA's top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings: #5 Aatu Räty