Horvat was one of the best two-way junior players in the country this past season. IMO, he and Gaunce play a "pro-ready" game and are physically mature enough for the pro ranks. What both players need is to be able to translate that game at the professional level. Whether that happens this year or next or the year after will be predicated by their ability to adapt to the speed of the NHL.
I like that both Horvat and Guance can move between center and LW, which provides them additional opportunity to make the big club.
As it is right now, at center, Horvat is behind Hank, Bonino, Vey, Matthias and Richardson; at LW Horvat is behind Daniel, Burrows, Higgins, Matthias and Richardson (I won't include Sestito since he has a specific role that only he can fulfill at this time).
The realistic place for Horvat, if he makes the club, will be fourth line center or fourth line LW. In this role, there's nothing wrong with him playing 9 to 11 minutes per game to get adjusted to the NHL speed. IMO, in time, Horvat will be a solid second or third line center for the Canucks. Last time I checked, you have to be a pretty darn good hockey player to fulfill this role in the NHL.