The New York Islanders made a big swing in an attempt to return to the playoffs after missing out on the postseason in 2021-22. The franchise just acquired All-Star forward Bo Horvat, who will come to New York in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks.
According to the Islanders’ official announcement, the move cost them forward Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty and a conditional first-rounder in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Horvat was on the trade block since December after rejecting an extension offer from the Canucks. He is set to become a free agent this summer and is likely to command a new contract that will be at the top of the market. The Islanders traded for him without any reassurance that he’ll remain long-term, being focused on the impact that the 27-year-old player can have for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
“You make this type of a transaction because you can improve your team today and tomorrow,” Islanders’ general manager Lou Lamoriello said after the trade was confirmed. “And in my opinion, he makes us a better team and gives us a better opportunity to [do] what we want to do.”
The Islanders failed to reach the playoffs last season after three-straight postseason trips. The New York team is currently in the hunt for the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 25-22-5 record. They trail two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins but have played three more games.
Bo Horvat is in the middle of an outstanding campaign, having scored 31 goals alongside 23 assists in 2022-23. He is already at 54 points in 49 games and is on pace to top his career-high of 61 points he had during the 2018-19 season.
