What To Expect From Bo Horvat 

What To Expect From Bo Horvat 

By Ryan Maher 

1/31/23 

With 5 weeks to go before the deadline, Isles GM Lou Lamoriello made his big move early acquiring Canucks All-Star center Bo Horvat yesterday. 

 Horvat, 27, is an impending UFA but the Isles hope to reach an extension with him soon. 

So, what can Isles fans expect from Bo Horvat? 

First off, Horvat has 31 goals so far on the year and is on pace for 50... He has shot at nearly a 22% clip this season which quite honestly isn't sustainable. That doesn’t mean he can't score, but he isn’t necessarily a 50-goal guy, and that’s ok. 

Bo has scored 25+ goals in each of his last three seasons and 20+ goals 6 seasons in a row. At 27, Horvat is right in his prime so his expected goal total over the next 4-5 seasons or so should be in the 30s. 

So, what type of player is he? 

Horvat is not the “true sniper” that maybe the Islanders have been looking for to play alongside Mat Barzal for a long time, but he will score goals one way or another. 

Similar to Islander captain Anders Lee, Horvat loves to get to and drive the front of the net looking to score. He has 11 power play goals this season as well. 

 Contrary to Anders, Horvat is a real quality skater and has a good set of hands to go along with it.  

Horvat should have no problem skating and matching up with the speed of Mat Barzal. 

With 30 games to play in the season expect Bo Horvat to add around 10-15 goals to the Islanders scoresheet and ultimately should help lead them to the playoffs and so on. 

With Horvat being a plus sided center expect Mat Barzal to slide to wing. 

Horvat should be on the Isles top power play unit in the bumper spot looking for tips and high slot one timers. 

Overall, the Islanders needed goals and they got a guy who’s in the top 1 percentile in the league with goals. 

If Horvat gels and fits in real well, the Isles could be a tough, dangerous team to play against.