We’re only 18 games into the year, and it’s already trade season for the Vancouver Canucks.
It’s already been an up-and-down year for the team, who currently sit sixth in the Pacific Division and eight last in the entire league with a mediocre record of 6-9-3.
Yes, the few devoted members of the glass half-full crowd would argue that the team still does have the potential to bounce back, especially given their current two-game win streak, as well as the fact that there’s still plenty of hockey left to play this year.
However, for the more realistic and impatient (rightfully so) fans, there’s no doubt that this club has a plethora of on-ice issues that they’re glaringly and undoubtedly unable to outrun anymore, leading us to look ahead to the inevitable dark future.
And when it comes to the future of this club, it’s hard not to look past Bo Horvat and his expiring contract.
The 27-year-old captain has been on an absolute heater to kick off the 2022-23 season, notching 20 points in 18 games, good for second in team scoring, only behind Elias Pettersson and his 22-point campaign.
What’s even more impressive is that 14 of those points have come as goals, putting him second in the entire league in that category. The only player ahead of him? Connor McDavid.
Yes, these statistics are great on paper for this underperforming team, especially since Horvat has essentially been carrying the offensive load with Pettersson.
However, as we’ve seen so often in the league with pending UFAs, with great production comes an even greater reward, a scenario that looks worse and worse each day for the cash-strapped Canucks.
And in the case of Horvat, there’s no doubt that he would like to move up from his current $5.5 million cap hit in a big way, even if it isn’t with the team that drafted him, which begs the ultimate question – where could he land if Vancouver can’t keep him?
According to a few NHL insiders, it appears that the Columbus Blue Jackets could be at the top of that list.
The speculation first hit the ground from Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, who spoke of the potential interest from Columbus on “The Halford and Brough Show” on Sportsnet 650 radio early last week.
Just a few days later, Seravalli’s reports were confirmed by Elliotte Friedman, who also reported on “The 32 Thoughts Podcast” that the Blue Jackets were eyeing Horvat, who would be a massive upgrade to their current centre depth of Boone Jenner, Jack Roslovic, Cole Sillinger and Sean Kuraly.
Of course, there are many moving parts in this potential scenario that all need to be taken into consideration.
Which prospects and/or picks would Columbus be willing to part with for the high-scoring centre?
Would those prospects or picks change if Horvat was not willing to sign long-term with the struggling Blue Jackets?
Should Vancouver wait for another offer closer to the deadline, an option that they seriously dropped the ball with last year when it came to J.T. Miller and his offensive tear?
As we all know, these answers will only appear with time. But, as we continue to work our way through the season, and as we continue to watch Horvat score at ease, it’s becoming harder and harder to envision the Canuck captain in a Vancouver uniform past this year.
What are your thoughts on the potential Columbus trade spot? Let us know in the comments!