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

[LastWordArmy]

http://lastwordonsports.com/bo-horvat-2013-nhl-draft-player-profile-19/


Bo Horvat: 2013 NHL Draft Player Profile #19

Bo Horvat is the third member of the OHL’s London Knights on our draft board, and it should come as no surprise that a team who set a record for longest CHL winning streak this season and finished first in the OHL, would have talented prospects like Horvat, Nikita Zadorov, and Max Domi mixed in with its veteran players. London has become a virtual factory of NHL talent since being taken over by Dale and Marc Hunter, and the Hunter influence is definitely seen all over Horvat’s game.

 

[Leidi J]

I keep seeing him mocked to the Sharks in nearly every Mock Draft I read. Not that those have any truth or mean much... but from the posts in this thread it seems many expect him to go a lot higher than 20th where the Sharks are picking. ANd it just seemed kinda weird to me that SO MANY mocks had the same guy going to the same team. Usually that only happens in the first 5-10 picks of drafts, not this far down where it gets harder to predict it seems.

Anyone know why the general mock draft community (lol) might have him being so undervalued or why in contrast he might be so overvalued here? (Though I do see the post right above mine has him ranked at about that 19-20 spot).

I will admit my limited knowledge of draft prospects in general. I just noticed this trend when checking out a dozen or so mocks. Found it interesting, thought people here might have some thoughts or any kind of insight

 

[doubledown99]

I keep seeing him mocked to the Sharks in nearly every Mock Draft I read. Not that those have any truth or mean much... but from the posts in this thread it seems many expect him to go a lot higher than 20th where the Sharks are picking. ANd it just seemed kinda weird to me that SO MANY mocks had the same guy going to the same team. Usually that only happens in the first 5-10 picks of drafts, not this far down where it gets harder to predict it seems.

Anyone know why the general mock draft community (lol) might have him being so undervalued or why in contrast he might be so overvalued here? (Though I do see the post right above mine has him ranked at about that 19-20 spot).

I will admit my limited knowledge of draft prospects in general. I just noticed this trend when checking out a dozen or so mocks. Found it interesting, thought people here might have some thoughts or any kind of insight

It's a deep draft so anything can happen but I see him going in the top 14.

I think his development in the 2nd half and showing in the playoffs have bumped his draft ranking considerably.

Heck I wouldn't be shocked to see him go top 10

 

[Leidi J]

It's a deep draft so anything can happen but I see him going in the top 14.

I think his development in the 2nd half and showing in the playoffs have bumped his draft ranking considerably.

Heck I wouldn't be shocked to see him go top 10

That's great, but doesn't really explain why mocks made in the last 5 days have him at 20th. People in this thread seem to have the opinion that you expressed, of him going higher. I'm not sure if it's just group think around this place or what, but I've noticed it's not the same as elsewhere.

So saying you think he'll go higher doesn't really explain why so many disagree. Is there anyone here who would take a stab as to explain why the disparity? Or is the answer just... It's a deep draft and no one knows? Either way I still find it weird that sooooo many have him going to the Sharks. Especially if it's so deep, wouldn't it be harder to predict? Maybe it's just coincidence.

I don't have a preference as to who the Sharks draft since I don't know enough to make an informed opinion. Just found it odd LOL

 

[Hatrick Marleau]

That's great, but doesn't really explain why mocks made in the last 5 days have him at 20th. People in this thread seem to have the opinion that you expressed, of him going higher. I'm not sure if it's just group think around this place or what, but I've noticed it's not the same as elsewhere.

So saying you think he'll go higher doesn't really explain why so many disagree. Is there anyone here who would take a stab as to explain why the disparity? Or is the answer just... It's a deep draft and no one knows? Either way I still find it weird that sooooo many have him going to the Sharks. Especially if it's so deep, wouldn't it be harder to predict? Maybe it's just coincidence.

I don't have a preference as to who the Sharks draft since I don't know enough to make an informed opinion. Just found it odd LOL

I'm a big fan of Horvat he would be my second choice behind Hunter Shinkaruk that we would be able to get in our area. Here is his scouting report:

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2013/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Bo-Horvat

 

[NHL Fanatic]

That's great, but doesn't really explain why mocks made in the last 5 days have him at 20th. People in this thread seem to have the opinion that you expressed, of him going higher. I'm not sure if it's just group think around this place or what, but I've noticed it's not the same as elsewhere.

So saying you think he'll go higher doesn't really explain why so many disagree. Is there anyone here who would take a stab as to explain why the disparity? Or is the answer just... It's a deep draft and no one knows? Either way I still find it weird that sooooo many have him going to the Sharks. Especially if it's so deep, wouldn't it be harder to predict? Maybe it's just coincidence.

I don't have a preference as to who the Sharks draft since I don't know enough to make an informed opinion. Just found it odd LOL

Scouts appreciate Horvat more than the average fan. His leadership qualities are huge. He just plays the game the right way, 200 ft player, can score but strength of his game lies within the neutral and defensive zone. I've been hearing that there are definitely teams interested that are in the top 10. Like you said it's a deep draft, which means there's a lot of ties. If a team really likes him, he's going to be selected high. In my opinion a team will be lucky if he passes 15.

 

[RyanHPscout]

Scouts appreciate Horvat more than the average fan. His leadership qualities are huge. He just plays the game the right way, 200 ft player, can score but strength of his game lies within the neutral and defensive zone. I've been hearing that there are definitely teams interested that are in the top 10. Like you said it's a deep draft, which means there's a lot of ties. If a team really likes him, he's going to be selected high. In my opinion a team will be lucky if he passes 15.

This is exactly it.

I've spent a lot of time in London the second half of this season. I've watched him develop since he was a centre for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs.

I've had multiple conversations with the kid and even met his dad a couple times. The kid mental maturity is very high and he comes from a great family. He's learned what it takes to be a leader and I think he'll wear a letter in the NHL.

He's got such a great two-way game. Some are not sold on his offensive upside, I personally think he's just too smart and works too hard not to pan out. He's got a great shot and he is always well positioned. He also showed in the playoffs more than any other time his flashes of skill with the puck which I think is just the start of something bigger in his game.

If people are mocking him to 20 at this point of the season I am unsure if they've gone to see this kid play in person since December. We have him ranked at #11 in his final rankings and all he did the second half of the season is show his potential. I don't wanna start getting critical of others opinions, just after watching him as much as I have and the impression he's left on NHL scouts that I know, Bo falling to 20 or even lower is just an unrealistic expectation. There's too much to like about this kid, and it goes so much deeper than looking at the scoresheet and checking the numbers. The kid is built for the NHL game.

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

How does he compare to Scott Laughton, Flyers 1st rounder last year from Oshawa?

Judging by their scouting reports, Horvat seems like a pretty similar prospect compared to Laughton last year.

 

[RyanHPscout]

How does he compare to Scott Laughton, Flyers 1st rounder last year from Oshawa?

Judging by their scouting reports, Horvat seems like a pretty similar prospect compared to Laughton last year.

The big thing for me with Laughton is he was highly inconsistent in my viewings.

When he's playing at the top of his game he looked as good as Horvat did in his draft year, but there have been big gaps where Laughton lacked competitiveness. I think Horvat is a lot more consistent, he's shown a lot more game by game shift by shift consistency. I think Horvat is also better along the wall. However Laughton has more pest in him, he likes to agitate opponents and get them off their game. Horvat's game is a little more honest, beat you with his work ethic than an agitator. Offensively I think they're pretty close, Laughton can score in streaks, where as Horvat I feel again is more consistent but they both wind up around the same point totals.

I can see where the comparisons come from, but if I had to pick one or the other, I'd take Horvat without hesitation. But that is just my opinion.

 

[arsmaster*]

This is exactly it.

I've spent a lot of time in London the second half of this season. I've watched him develop since he was a centre for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs.

I've had multiple conversations with the kid and even met his dad a couple times. The kid mental maturity is very high and he comes from a great family. He's learned what it takes to be a leader and I think he'll wear a letter in the NHL.

He's got such a great two-way game. Some are not sold on his offensive upside, I personally think he's just too smart and works too hard not to pan out. He's got a great shot and he is always well positioned. He also showed in the playoffs more than any other time his flashes of skill with the puck which I think is just the start of something bigger in his game.

If people are mocking him to 20 at this point of the season I am unsure if they've gone to see this kid play in person since December. We have him ranked at #11 in his final rankings and all he did the second half of the season is show his potential. I don't wanna start getting critical of others opinions, just after watching him as much as I have and the impression he's left on NHL scouts that I know, Bo falling to 20 or even lower is just an unrealistic expectation. There's too much to like about this kid, and it goes so much deeper than looking at the scoresheet and checking the numbers. The kid is built for the NHL game.

I bought the black book. Haven't delved into it yet as I'm going away for a bit and won't have anything else to do after work other than reading it.

One thing that came up as I perused is that HP is very OHL/Ontario-cenntric.

Could it be that you guys have just seen Bo more than others so you like him more?

I love him too. Liked him last year too.

Obviously haven't followed him like you have, but really how big is the gap between Horvat and Lazar?

Both had monster 2nd halfs.

Not trying to call you out. Just wondering if perhaps getting too deep effects your ranking.

I have him in my personal 8-12 group so it's not like I don't have similar views. Just felt like it could be part of the Convo.

Cheers on a great year and I greatly look forward to immersing myself in the black book tomorrow.

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

The big thing for me with Laughton is he was highly inconsistent in my viewings.

When he's playing at the top of his game he looked as good as Horvat did in his draft year, but there have been big gaps where Laughton lacked competitiveness. I think Horvat is a lot more consistent, he's shown a lot more game by game shift by shift consistency. I think Horvat is also better along the wall. However Laughton has more pest in him, he likes to agitate opponents and get them off their game. Horvat's game is a little more honest, beat you with his work ethic than an agitator. Offensively I think they're pretty close, Laughton can score in streaks, where as Horvat I feel again is more consistent but they both wind up around the same point totals.

I can see where the comparisons come from, but if I had to pick one or the other, I'd take Horvat without hesitation. But that is just my opinion.

Thanks for the reply

I was just trying to find a comparable player and Laughton seemed to fit pretty well from what I have read and the little I have seen of Horvat.

 

[RyanHPscout]

I bought the black book. Haven't delved into it yet as I'm going away for a bit and won't have anything else to do after work other than reading it.

One thing that came up as I perused is that HP is very OHL/Ontario-cenntric.

Could it be that you guys have just seen Bo more than others so you like him more?

I love him too. Liked him last year too.

Obviously haven't followed him like you have, but really how big is the gap between Horvat and Lazar?

Both had monster 2nd halfs.

Not trying to call you out. Just wondering if perhaps getting too deep effects your ranking.

I have him in my personal 8-12 group so it's not like I don't have similar views. Just felt like it could be part of the Convo.

Cheers on a great year and I greatly look forward to immersing myself in the black book tomorrow.

We have got criticism in the past because of that. It's primarily due to myself and Mark both living in the OHL region. We have a lot of great scouts from all over the place but with our Owner/Director of Scouting and Head Scout both living in Ontario, I think it's expected that we are given that kind of tag.

It's also because we cover the OHL Drafts every single year that I've been with HP so we know the players really well by the time they come up for the OHL Draft. We covered the QMJHL draft this year, and have covered the WHL draft in the past.

We actually only have 45 OHL players in our top 210 ranking this year, which would probably surprise a lot of people because of that stigma attached to us. I think you'll notice the depth of our European content is much stronger this year. We've seen a lot more international action both as an organization and personally speaking.

As far as Horvat and Lazar, I've actually seen Lazar play live an in person over a half dozen times. I've also watched video of him. I've never felt you can scout from video, but it doesn't hurt when I can talk to one of our guys in the WHL and can discuss things about his game. For example he's very smart without the puck, that's extremely difficult to see on video and can really only be picked up in live viewings. We have three guys out west. One in the Northwest USA, One in British Columbia, and one in Alberta. So it's important for us to trust what they see and put it all together.

I think consistency is a big thing that concerned our scouts. Both had big second halfs and both have similar attributes. They really aren't very far apart at all. We haven't seen the same leadership and consistency which is basically the biggest difference. Some NHL guys I've talked to like Lazar more than Horvat. Some believe they are basically back to back and some agree with where we have them. Ultimately based on conversations we've had with our scouts, he's fallen a little behind Horvat, but he's still a pretty safe bet to be a NHler. Lazar, like Horvat plays an NHL style of game which is key to their success. I think Horvat is more likely to land a regular shift on the second line than Lazar, but both have 2nd line upside, but are pretty safe bets to at least be 3rd liners.

Thanks for your support, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[RyanHPscout]

Thanks for the reply

I was just trying to find a comparable player and Laughton seemed to fit pretty well from what I have read and the little I have seen of Horvat.

No problem. There really isn't a guy in this draft that makes me feel is a direct comparable to Laughton. I would say Curtis Lazar if not Bo Horvat are probably the most accurate comparisons to him in this draft.

 

[Love]

Can someone enlighten me (and all Canucks fans) about Horvat?

 

[Grandrift145]

my favorite player in the draft

i lost hope during the OHL playoffs that he would fall to the Leafs

great move by Gilles

 

[JL17]

my favorite player in the draft

i lost hope during the OHL playoffs that he would fall to the Leafs

great move by Gilles

Ryan Kesler minus the willingness to fight has better hands but will do everything else the same.

 

[Love]

Ryan Kesler minus the willingness to fight has better hands but will do everything else the same.

Does he have Kesler type speed?

 

[canuck4life16]

I guess he will be a future second line center with potential for first? Seems to me he is a playoff performer.......

comparison was mike richard?

 

[Henrik To Daniel]

How NHL ready is he?

 

[CherryToke]

I see how guys might compare him to Lazar but I would take Bo, but it's a gut call.

Lazar just looks really good out there but the production is lagging behind, something that scares me but can't quantify.

The Canucks need to land a guy like Bo IMO.

good call bro

 

[JL17]

Doesn't have Kesler's speed... he's got a powerful stride and is very strong on his skates.

NHL ready... yes and no .... he thinks the game like a pro already plays the full length of the ice. Never quits and he's built like an ox. The only thing is he's skating but everything else IMO is NHL ready. He would probably be the captian of the Knights next season if returned. Very coachable and isn't a high maintainence player.

 

[CAPiTA]

I too think his game and his frame are built for the NHL next year. It will obviously depend on what's available and who the nucks sign after July 5, but given who we gave up to draft him, I think he has a very good shot of making the team as the 4C, if not the 3C. Him and Gaunce will battle it out.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

There's an off chance he'll make it. He's strong and is defensively good for his age. I still think he overall game needs a bit more seasoning and he could use another year in junior.

It would be nice for him if he made it. He's a great player and a hard worker...I feel that sometimes he's been unfairly overlooked a bit

 

[Canucks LB]

I honestly, don't know that much about him. From what I am hearing, he could be the steal of the draft. A complete two way beast.

 

[keslerburrows]

Who was more impressive last year in the O: Gaunce or Horvat?