Report: Relationship between Horvat and Canucks seems broken

It's not exactly a secret that things are contentious in Vancouver this season.

The Vancouver Canucks were expected to take a big step forward this season under head coach Bruce Boudreau, but instead they've been the most inconsistent team in the entire NHL. They started off horribly, rebounded a bit and are now up and down seemingly every game.

This is all transpiring while the future of their captain Bo Horvat is up in the air due to his contract status. The 27 year old Horvat is having an incredible season with 20 goals and 29 points in just 27 games to start the season and is poised to cash in BIG time as an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason. So... certainly the Canucks must be trying to lock him up, right? Well... kinda...

On his latest appearance on the Sekeres & Price podcast yesterday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that Canucks GM Patrik Allvin and President Jim Rutherford presented Horvat with a contract offer worth $5.125 million a season.

Seriously?

For the record Horvat currently earns $5.5 million per season and has been an absolute steal on that contract for the past six seasons. Now the Canucks are looking for him to take a discount? That... that just doesn't add up.

Look at the contract awarded to teammate JT Miller at $8 million per season and then compare it to Horvat. It's insulting.

Seravalli's counterpart over at Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that things are "not trending well" between Horvat and the Canucks.

"Obviously, the Canucks are a team to watch. I despise dealing in absolutes, because I’ve learned negotiations can change out of nowhere (see JT Miller), but it’s not trending well for a Bo Horvat extension."

- Elliotte Friedman

The longer this draws on, the more I believe that Horvat will be traded before season's end. If the Canucks aren't willing to table an offer in the $6-$8 million range, there's absolutely no point in negotiating, which is a damn shame in my opinion.

Horvat, along with Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, seems to be one of the few players who actually gives a damn this season but I wouldn't blame him if he sought out a fresh start elsewhere in the league. There's been plenty of trade speculation surrounding Horvat and just last week NHL insider Craig Button stated that he believes Horvat is "done" in Vancouver.

It certainly looks like it's just a matter of time until this divorce is finalized.