C Bo Horvat (2013, 9th overall, Vancouver) II

[Son of Frostback]

Not trying to shift the blame away from Bo for a somewhat disappointing sophomore year but I feel like VAN is kind of a toxic environment for kids trying to learn from 'veterans', the twins aside. Is Dorsett gonna teach them how to take 8 stupid penalties a game? Is Vrbata gonna teach them how to float around like an unmoored rowboat? Is Prust gonna coach them on the exact dumbest things to say to the media? Does ol' coach 1-2-3-4 have a master plan?

For god's sake, blow it up now. Get everyone older than Tanev outta there (with the exception of our unmovable $14 mill package deal franchise players of course).

 

[King In The North]

What has Willie D's handling of the kids been? I know for some time it was Horvat and McCann as the 2nd and 3rd Centers.

 

[Snatcher Demko]

I think Willie D has lost the room honestly. Henrik was as critical as I've ever heard him, saying a week or so ago, that they are too focused on trying to win a game rather than fundamentals and playing the right way.

First Willie didn't trust the kids, now he's forced to play them and everyone (including vets) is sucking together. All of them seem to be playing as individuals and with no confidence right now. It's going to take some time to work out.

 

[Canucks LB]

Good old sophmore slump

 

[Rebuilt]

In my opinion the Canucks have thrust a lot of responsibility onto Horvat with Sutter going down. Now hes responsible for shut down and pitching in the 2nd line offence as well.

At age 20 I dont think its reasonable that he is capable of handling all that. He would have to be an extraordinarily gifted and mature player for his age. I think the fact he is doing his best and hanging in there during a bad situation bodes well Bo.

The stats will get there next year .

 

[Szechwan]

What has Willie D's handling of the kids been? I know for some time it was Horvat and McCann as the 2nd and 3rd Centers.

Lately up the middle it's been :

Sedin
McCann
Horvat
Cracknel

Sutter has been out for while now and Horvat has been tasked with being the #1 shutdown forward and has struggled a bit with those expectations.

He looked amazing in the preseason, snake bitten for the first month and now is having trouble generating any offensive chances at all. I expect he'll get back to being himself once Sutter returns to the lineup.

 

[Mathew Barzal]

What has Willie D's handling of the kids been? I know for some time it was Horvat and McCann as the 2nd and 3rd Centers.

He tried his best to shelter them and give them minutes they could succeed with. The problem is during the pre-season Sutter was being outplayed by Horvat at the center position, hence the decision to play him alongside the Sedin's for the first few matches. After discovering that those few games were clearly an anomaly (Sutter's offensive IQ is garbage - was carried by the Sedin's) he was put back at 2C where he continued where he left off offensively (doing jack squat) but at least Horvat and McCann could do their thing in peace.

Lo and behold Sutter gets hurt a couple games down the road and like the dumb organization they are the Canucks push both McCann and Horvat into roles we they were not prepared for and obviously, they suffer.

Think about it like this, Horvat was groomed offensively by the likes of Dorsett and Hansen. Dump, chase, grind, and throw everything on net. And you know what, it worked. But now that mentality has stuck with him and he's trying to apply it with wingers like Baertschi and Vrbata who's games suffer in board battles and puck scrums. The few times Horvat actually gains the zone he throws the puck on net and kills possession. A pat on the back for a fourth liner, a 'you had time to stop up and look for options' as a second liner.

The frustration is clear in his game right now, he's trying to do it all himself and it's not working.

 

[Tobi Wan Kenobi]

Not at all concerned with Bo. I actually think this is kind of good for him. He's getting a taste of what it's like to be the shutdown center and to provide offense. This team is in shambles and I think the experience he's gaining will bode well for the future. Not many 20 year olds get thrust into his current situation.

 

[The Iron Goalie]

Not at all concerned with Bo. I actually think this is kind of good for him. He's getting a taste of what it's like to be the shutdown center and to provide offense. This team is in shambles and I think the experience he's gaining will bode well for the future. Not many 20 year olds get thrust into his current situation.

Idk. He's being forced into this role, and I'm not sure thats a great thing. Clearly he needs Sutter back, as a buffer when it comes to playing top C's all game. Last year we had Bonino, and Richardson as our other bot 9 C's. This year it's Mccann (19), and Craknell ( an NHL/AHL journeyman). Bo needs another experienced C to help unburden him, and Sutter won't be back until late Jan, so things are likely to remain a struggle for him.

Bo was a 4th line C last year, so jumping from 11mins a game to 17 is huge, and he may not be ready. I think the plan was always to have him as our 3rd C, and then next year try him as a 2.

I hope this over burdening doesn't effect his development too much.

 

[Intoewsables]

Not trying to shift the blame away from Bo for a somewhat disappointing sophomore year but I feel like VAN is kind of a toxic environment for kids trying to learn from 'veterans', the twins aside. Is Dorsett gonna teach them how to take 8 stupid penalties a game? Is Vrbata gonna teach them how to float around like an unmoored rowboat? Is Prust gonna coach them on the exact dumbest things to say to the media? Does ol' coach 1-2-3-4 have a master plan?

His master plan is to give the ~*~real good~*~ fourth line more offensive zone starts and continue to throw Horvat to the wolves.

 

[Reinhart]

Meh.. Horvat is a character guy. He will rebound eventually. Concerning? Yep, always concerning when you see a young player dry up a little bit. It is just a bit less concerning with a guy like Horvat. This is coming from a Flames' fan.

 

[Woodhouse]

For the purposes of this subforum, Horvat's graduated; > 65GP; closed.