Bye bye Bo: Vancouver Canucks trade Horvat to New York Islanders

The Vancouver Canucks have traded captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders.

In exchange, the Canucks have acquired forward Anthony Beauvillier and centre Aatu Raty, as well as a protected 2023 first-round draft pick.

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the team has acquired F Anthony Beauvillier, C Aatu Raty, and a protected 2023 1st round draft pick from the New York Islanders in exchange for C Bo Horvat.

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 30, 2023

“First of all, we would like to thank Bo Horvat for all that he has done for the Vancouver Canucks during his nine seasons in Vancouver,” said Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin Monday.

“He has been a great leader and ambassador for our hockey club. 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 centre in Aatu Raty, and a protected first-round draft pick. These pieces will be a big part of our development and growth moving forward.”

Horvat has been at the centre of trade speculation for several months after he and the Canucks failed to agree on a contract extension. The 27-year-old, a pending unrestricted free agent, is in the middle of a career-best season, with 31 goals and 24 assists through 49 games.

However, he was the first domino to fall on a Canucks roster that will likely undergo more changes with the team in the midst of a disappointing season. The trade comes eight days after head coach Bruce Boudreau was fired and replaced with Rick Tocchet.

At the age of 18, the Ontario centre was selected ninth overall by the Canucks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft after Vancouver traded goaltender Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils for the pick.

Horvat has served as the team’s captain since 2019.

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Beauvillier has recorded 20 points and 10 penalty minutes with the Islanders so far this season, appearing in 49 games.

The 25-year-old from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, has played with the Islanders his entire NHL career, after entering the league in the 2016-17 season.

In total, he’s picked up 209 points in 457 regular season games. In 49 playoff appearances with the Islanders, he’s compiled 29 points.

Meanwhile, Raty has split his current season between the New York Islanders and and the Bridgeport Islanders, their AHL affiliate. Prior to making moves to North America, the 20-year-old from Oulunsalo, Finland played three seasons in the Finnish Elite League.

Raty has also played with the Finnish U-17 national team as well as for Finland in the IIHF World Juniors. He was selected by the Islanders 52nd overall in the second round at the 2021 entry draft.

-With files from Sportsnet