After Signing Extension, Bo Horvat gets Down to Business with Islanders

On Bo Horvat's first day at the New York Islanders facility, he decided to sign up for 2,922 more.
Horvat inked an eight-year deal with his new team on Sunday, capping off a whirlwind week, which began with being traded from Vancouver to the Islanders on Monday, representing his new team at All-Star Weekend, then hitting the ice for Sunday afternoon practice for the first time as an Islander.
"It was probably in my top five right from the beginning," said Horvat, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent before signing long-term with the Isles. "Just from what I heard from it, the team and the organization. I don't know the area too well, but I can't wait to get to know it for eight years."

While Horvat's been on the roster for a week, Sunday was effectively his first day on the job, practicing with his new team. His new co-workers were excited for his arrival.
"We're going to have a great eight years together," Mathew Barzal said, who signed an eight-year deal ahead of the season. "With the core now and with Horvat here, it's just going to do wonders. We're all excited, this was a big spark for sure."
Horvat is sporting a dominant season, averaging over a point-per-game with 54 (31G, 23A) through 49 games played with the Vancouver Canucks prior to the trade. The 27-year-old center brings power play efficacy, as well as a strong faceoff record and versatility on the ice.
"There's no question he'll be an asset to our team," President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said of the extension. "It's a compliment to the New York Islander organization... that this was a place where he wanted to stay."
Lamoriello said he scouted Horvat in junior and had followed his career closely, but nevertheless, Horvat appreciated the vote of confidence from the organization before making his debut.

"They trust in me and believe in me," Horvat said of the Islanders organization. "It makes me want to push myself that much harder and work that much more to get to the playoffs."
Horvat met two of his new teammates over the weekend, with a chance to get to know his fellow Islander representatives Brock Nelson and Ilya Sorokin at NHL All-Star Weekend. Nelson and Sorokin gave him a brief introduction of what to expect about playing hockey on Long Island.
"[They explained] the people here, the city, fans and everything," Horvat said. "It just got me that much more excited. I just can't wait to start playing games."
Horvat was able to meet the rest of the team on Sunday for practice, even seeing some familiar faces. Horvat competed for Team Canada in the IIHF World Championship in 2018 alongside Barzal, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Josh Bailey and Ryan Pulock. Aside from the group he was acquainted with, Horvat felt welcomed by the whole team immediately upon his arrival.
"Everybody reached out to me right away, when they didn't have to," Horvat said. "As soon as the trade happened, they made me feel welcome and [said] they'd be right there to help me out."
Horvat practiced on a line with Barzal and Josh Bailey on Sunday, putting the sniper with a pair of playmakers.
"I think it's a good fit," Head Coach Lane Lambert said.
With Horvat and Barzal both being centers, they'll share face-off duties. Lambert said he didn't want to overload his new player during the first practice and while he hopes to find chemistry between the two forwards, as well as a steady linemate for Barzal.
"Based on the positioning and where they were slotted, I think it's a fluid situation," Lambert said. "They're both going to be able to read off each other."
With nine years with the Vancouver Canucks and four years as captain under his belt, Horvat adds to the abundance of veteran leadership in the Islanders locker room, joining Zach Parise as the only players who wore the "C" on their former teams prior to playing for the Islanders.
"[Horvat] leads by example," Barzal said. "He's just a clean guy, works hard, just does all the right things. You can definitely see why he was the captain of Vancouver."
"That's going to help everybody," Captain Anders Lee said of Horvat's prior experience as a captain. "He's been in this position before, knows how to lead a team and he plays extremely hard every night. He's always been a tough matchup for us on the other side, so it'll be good that he's with us now."

The Islanders headed into the break on a high note with back-to-back wins, returning to action with a record of 25-22-5. With 55 points and standing in sixth in the Metropolitan Division, the Islanders are on the doorstep of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders trail the Pittsburgh Penguins by two points for the second wild card spot and three points behind the Washington Capitals for the first spot. With the acquisition of a player of Horvat's caliber, the Islanders received boost they need as playoff contenders.
"Playing meaningful hockey down the stretch is really exciting for me," Horvat said. "To be in the fight and push for a playoff spot, I want to make the most of it."
"I think [the Islanders] can win right now," Horvat said. "We have a little bit of ways to go to make the playoffs, but there's a great core group of guys here that know what it takes to win. I can't wait to be a part of that for eight more years."