The New York Islanders have acquired center Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks in the first blockbuster of NHL trade deadline season.
The teams announced the deal Monday. The Islanders sent forward Anthony Beauvillier, top prospect Aatu Raty and a top-12 protected first-round pick in the 2023 draft to the Canucks.
Horvat, 27, is a pending free agent and was one of the top rentals available ahead of the March 3 deadline. It was not immediately clear if his camp and his new team have an extension in place or have had contract talks of any kind.
The former Canucks captain, who was chosen to represent them at the NHL All-Star Weekend, could give the Islanders the scoring boost they’ve needed. Horvat has already tied his career high with 31 goals this season and also has 23 assists in 49 games.
Horvat has 420 points in 621 regular-season NHL games.
New York ranks 25th out of 32 teams in scoring at 2.85 goals a game and is two points out of a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Horvat has 12 more goals this season than the next-closest Islanders teammate.
Horvat will not have to wait long to face the team that drafted him ninth in 2013. The Islanders host the Canucks on Feb. 9.
Dealing Horvat is the latest shakeup for Vancouver, which recently fired coach Bruce Boudreau and hired Rick Tocchet as his replacement. General manager Patrik Allvin said Horvat “has been a great leader and ambassador” for the team.
“As difficult as it is to trade away our captain, we are excited to add a high-quality 25-year-old winger in Anthony Beauvillier, a young center in Aatu Raty, and a protected first-round draft pick,” Allvin said in a statement. “These pieces will be a big part of our development and growth moving forward.”
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Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
The Associated Press
