Bo Horvat dealt another blow amidst uncertain future in Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks are falling out of playoff contention and are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline. Of course, the name of captain Bo Horvat has been heard more than once, even prompting the forward to issue a statement that he will not comment the chatter and prefers to focus on the season.

But the trade rumours keep going and Horvat has been linked to a few teams, including the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.

There is however a lingering possibility that Horvat remains in Vancouver. The pending free agent is on his final year of a six-year contract at a cap hit of $5.5 million and we’re also heard about his desire to stay with the Canucks. But insider Elliotte Friedman has told Rick Dhaliwal that the team is reported to have set its limits on what it’s willing to pay Horvat moving forward, and it sounds like the Canucks and their fanbase will need a miracle.

“I am not saying no but the Canucks have set a limit, Horvat is going to have to take a haircut on what he could get on market.

It is going to take an unbelievable offer from Vancouver and I do not see it.”

If Horvat is still wearing the Canucks’ uniform after the trade deadline, the team will need to make his extension a top priority. And of course, they risk losing him for nothing at the free agency opening like we’ve seen in Calgary when Johnny Gaudreau tested the market and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Canucks cannot make the same mistake, but if they’ve set their limits with what they want to pay Horvat, he holds the cards on what to do next.

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