Bo Horvat is Unique...

[JayDog16]

But not necessarily in a good way.

I don't know if I've ever seen a player like him. His face-off domination is unreal. It seems like he's never going to lose one. His IQ and goal scoring prowess are very high-end. On paper, he looks like a premier player in the league. The guy has also been the captain of a major franchise. Sounds awesome right? And yet his play is so lackluster.

Ever since he's been an Islander I find him underwhelming. If he's not doing any of the things I previously mentioned he looks completely useless. He seems to float a lot. He's certainly not a playmaker. His skating is average at best. His defensive game sucks. And his personality does not match that of a captain. I could go on.

I hate to bash the guy so soon. I'm only bringing this up because of the significance and ramifications of the deal Lou made to get him.

My one question is what other players in history fit this description? I'm curious.

 

[Tact]

Already buyers remorse?

 

[Oliewud]

You won't notice him the whole game and then he'll score 2 goals to tie the game.

That's horvat.

 

[Icebreakers]

Your description fits him 100%. That's what he's been his whole career in VAN. He's not a two way shut down C (which people mislabel him as). He's an offensive finisher who wins faceoffs and can do damage on the PP.

 

[Tact]

Don’t play him on the PK because he’s average at best (that’s being generous)

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Eh, it be like that sometimes. Some guys just know where to be for goals, it’s a skill but it ain’t aesthetically pleasing.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

He’s pretty much the opposite of his reputation amongst other fanbases. Offensively he’s always been underrated imo. He’s had some pretty poor linemates in Vancouver but he can score when he’s got better linemates. Defensively he’s never been that great but Vancouver tried to use him as a shutdown guy with pretty poor results.

 

[Three On Zero]

He can be a frustrating player, but he is a solid player when it matters

 

[JayDog16]

Already buyers remorse?

In fairness not a single Isles fan was clamoring for him.

 

[centipede2233]

7 gp 3 goals 4 pts…teams really need to STAY AWAY FROM GIVING OUT THE THIRD CONTRACT!!!

 

[crobro]

He has the ability to step up his game in the playoffs and take control of games

 

[CupHolders]

But not necessarily in a good way.

I don't know if I've ever seen a player like him. His face-off domination is unreal. It seems like he's never going to lose one. His IQ and goal scoring prowess are very high-end. On paper, he looks like a premier player in the league. The guy has also been the captain of a major franchise. Sounds awesome right? And yet his play is so lackluster.

Ever since he's been an Islander I find him underwhelming. If he's not doing any of the things I previously mentioned he looks completely useless. He seems to float a lot. He's certainly not a playmaker. His skating is average at best. His defensive game sucks. And his personality does not match that of a captain. I could go on.

I hate to bash the guy so soon. I'm only bringing this up because of the significance and ramifications of the deal Lou made to get him.

My one question is what other players in history fit this description? I'm curious.

I’m an Islander fan. I freakin love his game so far. He’s the perfect compliment to Barzal. What you describe as lackluster floating is him finding the quiet spots to score goals, something few Isles know how to do.

His skating lacks top end speed but he has excellent strength and balance. Again a perfect compliment to what Barzal already brings.

That line has been consistently dangerous since he has been on the Islanders. The PP has also been its best since before Trotz.

As for defense, he’s average. But that’s hard to judge because the Isles forwards have been inconsistent defensively since two seasons ago.

But I suspect most people have taken Canuck fan’s warning about his defensive game being overrated too much to heart. It’s now swung to far the other way that he’s bad defensively.

 

[wetcoast]

But not necessarily in a good way.

I don't know if I've ever seen a player like him. His face-off domination is unreal. It seems like he's never going to lose one. His IQ and goal scoring prowess are very high-end. On paper, he looks like a premier player in the league. The guy has also been the captain of a major franchise. Sounds awesome right? And yet his play is so lackluster.

Ever since he's been an Islander I find him underwhelming. If he's not doing any of the things I previously mentioned he looks completely useless. He seems to float a lot. He's certainly not a playmaker. His skating is average at best. His defensive game sucks. And his personality does not match that of a captain. I could go on.

I hate to bash the guy so soon. I'm only bringing this up because of the significance and ramifications of the deal Lou made to get him.

My one question is what other players in history fit this description? I'm curious.

It's not like any of this was a secret to Canucks fans though, he is a unique second line center but he is a second line center for a reason.

 

[lionsDen]

Ouch

 

[LemonSauceD]

Horvat will have stretches where he's the best player on the ice for 10-15 games and then youll have a couple of stretches where you dont really notice him but then he scores 2 in a period.

His personality for being a captain was heavily critcized because hes not much of a talker and doesn't exactly seem like the vocal guy in the room. But he's a high character guy.

 

[AlainVigneaultsGum]

Seven games.

 

[VanillaCoke]

Trade u JTM for him

 

[nucksflailtogether]

Beau outscoring him. If I'm an islanders fan I'm concerned that (weirdly enough) the Canucks were a perfect fit for him offensively.

 

[DavidVolek]

I really wonder if he regrets signing that deal, regardless the Islanders are going to go nowhere any time soon and will likely be a very bad team in about 4 years, at that point will he have any trade value with that contract? Is it possible to trade him now if the Islanders decide to rebuild now which is what they should do?

 

[TheRumble]

I really wonder if he regrets signing that deal, regardless the Islanders are going to go nowhere any time soon and will likely be a very bad team in about 4 years, at that point will he have any trade value with that contract? Is it possible to trade him now if the Islanders decide to rebuild now which is what they should do?

A player of Horvat's caliber realistically has around 10 good years in him. Every year you get a 1/32 chance in winning the Cup. But you only have one chance to set yourself up financially for life. Horvat was in the midst of having a career year. He was right to take the money.

 

[DavidVolek]

In fairness not a single Isles fan was clamoring for him.

You are wrong about that

 

[Kryten]

Hes great at faceoffs and close to the net. Was clutch in previous playoffs. Not a playmaker and plays more like a winger which actually compliments a team that has a Barzal. Hopefully the trade is a win win for both teams but Bo is not worth anywhere near 8.5. He actually has explosive speed once a shift every 10 or so games

 

[Canucks LB]

He is a very frustrating goal scorer, with incredible face-offs, and average defensively at best, this has always been him.

He’s still a damn good hockey player, just overpaid by like 2 million, I’m sure he’s gonna do well there

 

[Leafshater67]

He’s a second line, 25-30 goal scoring faceoff expert with a severely overrated defensive game.

 

[Phrasing]

Overrated defensive game doesn’t mean bad defensively… he’s average.