Major Development Emerges as Former Canucks Executive Hints at Ex-Captain Bo Horvat Returning This Offseason
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
A former Vancouver Canucks executive believes the team should bring back an ex-captain this summer to help them address their issues at the center position.
One area the Vancouver Canucks will need to address in the off-season is their depth down the middle as right now heading into 2025-26, they have Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil lined up as 1C and 2C, respectively, along a scoring winger, if Brock Boeser ends up leaving on July 1st.
With Chytil's injury history, having him in the 2C role might not be a viable option, at least for an entire season, which likely will lead to Patrik Allvin scouring the trade and free agent markets for help.
Former Vancouver Canucks executive believes ex-captain could be the solution
One way or another, Patrik Allvin is going to find help down the middle this summer and while the free agent market is filled with veterans such as John Tavares, Brock Nelson and Mikael Granlund, just to name a few, but acquiring one via trade might be a better option.
During an appearance on Sekeres and Price on Wednesday, former Vancouver Canucks Assistant General Manager Laurence Gilman suggested that the current regime should try to bring back ex-captain Bo Horvat through a trade with the New York Islanders this summer.
"Well, in theory he makes great sense for the Canucks. I mean, if you slot him in behind Elias Pettersson as your number two centerman and sort of linchpin, Swiss army knife center, it'd be great. You know, I don't know if the Islanders are looking to move him, but he would be, if you're looking for a compliment to Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat probably fits like a glove." Gilman said.
Horvat, 29, was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks ninth overall in 2013 and went on to spend parts of nine seasons with them, four as captain, before trading him to the Islanders in January 2023, who then inked him to an eight-year extension worth $8.5 million per year.
In 621 games as a Vancouver Canuck, Horvat registered 420 points (201 goals, 219 assists), 200 penalty minutes and was a minus-65.
Depending on the cost, it could be an intriguing option for Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks to consider as he would be solid 2C for this team, which would then allow Filip Chytil to slide down to 3C or potentially play on the wing.
Previously on CanucksDaily
