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The Expectation Game: Bo Horvat


JibberishJones

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Hey guys, 

 

So much exciting news happening surrounding our team right now, not everything will sit well with every fan, but after years of complaining about our team never trading/never making impact, I am really satisfied with the progress, direction, AND the effort management is showing to be honest with us and make visible change. These attempts at transparency are often overlooked, which is a shame, props to Benning and co. for trying.

 

With all this talk of Eriksson, the Sedins, Guddy, and prospects camp going on (Boeser, Demko, Joulevi -- wow!) I feel like a nice opportunity to slip under the radar has presented it's self for Mr. Bo...

 

What I mean is, for the last few weeks while projecting the potential success of this season's team, I almost completely forgot that Bo didn't produce at all for the first half of the year. He had an incredible camp/pre-season, then struggled mightily until January. He is due for a breakout campaign, you know he is mentally hungry, and he is going to bring it.

 

Now, I know Bo lighting it up more consistently won't lift us to the playoffs by itself... but it sure as hell will help. If Bo and Baer can put it together like they did in the second half last year, and carry some of that success/confidence into this year, we could get off to a really great start to the season - something we haven't had in Vancouver since pre-Luongo days. 

 

I wonder what a strong start could mean for this team, the Sedins won't burn out as fast, confidence will fill the line up, players will push one another, it could be a really amazing thing for this group, the fan base, and the stigma surrounding our team.

 

The first 2 months of the season will be huge for us, if we fall into the mindset of last year too soon we will be toast and frustration will set in -- if we can get off to a nice start, supplemented by Bo bringing that fire he brought at the end of last year, we could do some real damage. 

 

So - what are expectations for Bo next year, points-wise, leadership-wise, lineup-wise, development-wise, what are you hoping to see from Bo this year?

 

 

 

Feel free to mention other key factors as well, I recognize there are many things that need to fall into place, Bo is just one aspect.

 

 

 

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I fully expect Horvat to start where he left off, but even better.  He is working his butt off in the offseason to improve, and I think it won't be too long before WD realizes he needs to put him up to the 2nd line center. 

How he does points-wise really depends on who he is played with.  If Eriksson doesn't produce with the Sedins, he might end up on the 2nd line with Horvat.  And although Baertschi seems to be the most logical choice to put on the left side, for some inexplicable reason Willie doesn't seem to like that combination even though it produces. 

As per the paragraph above, I think his point totals could swing widely:
Low projection: 38 points.  Slightly less than last year, but this is on the event he spends most of his time on the 3rd line, AND doesn't get decent linemates to play with.  It's close to last season because I think he will come into the season improved.

High projection: 60 points.  He's put up to the 2nd line, Eriksson is put on his line on the right, Baertschi on the left.

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It's going to be an interesting couple of years. I think he gets a 6 year deal after this year in the range of 3.5 - 4.5. I can see him topping out between a 60 - 70 point centreman. I was hoping to see us draft Tkachuk. Could you imagine what a Tkachuk - Horvat - Boeser line could have done? That dream has sailed though. It would have been the second coming of WCE

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I'm not worried about Bo. That kid has the fire and passion to succeed without people telling him. It is known.

 

Virtanen is the one I'll be keeping an eye on. Kid needs to take some strides this year.

 

edit: Expections -

 

Goals: 18-20 Assists: 30-35

 

Points: 50-55

 

He'll be a lot more stable defensively with Hansen/Burrows instead of Vrbata/Virtanen along with our improved defensive unit. This in itself will allow Bo a lot more freedom to contribute to our offense.

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5 minutes ago, Mathew Barzal said:

Virtanen is the one I'll be keeping an eye on. Kid needs to take some strides this year.

Agreed, will be fun to watch, I'm familiar with his family and have heard great things about his motivation and the work he is putting in this summer. Sounds like he learned a lot last year and knows what he needs to do now.... 

 

Kind of like when Spiderman's Uncle Ben died and he finally understood what he needed to do....................... I watched Spiderman last night.

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5 minutes ago, JibberishJones said:

Agreed, will be fun to watch, I'm familiar with his family and have heard great things about his motivation and the work he is putting in this summer. Sounds like he learned a lot last year and knows what he needs to do now.... 

 

Kind of like when Spiderman's Uncle Ben died and he finally understood what he needed to do....................... I watched Spiderman last night.

CDC and spiderman have history

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Let's not forget the impact of Sutter's injury which kicked Bo's role into new territory almost right off the bat.
Even through his struggle in the first half of last season, I was never worried about him for a second during his slump because he kept working and trying and you knew he was gonna turn it around once he caught a break.

With Sutter back full-time and with more time to develop chemistry with full-time linemates, I see all signs pointing to Bo having a very solid season.

 

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32 minutes ago, JibberishJones said:

Agreed, will be fun to watch, I'm familiar with his family and have heard great things about his motivation and the work he is putting in this summer. Sounds like he learned a lot last year and knows what he needs to do now.... 

 

Kind of like when Spiderman's Uncle Ben died and he finally understood what he needed to do....................... I watched Spiderman last night.

Did you watch the Sam Raimi movie or Marc Webb movie?

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WD did talk about Bo getting away from his 2-way game near the end of the season and he didn't seem very pleased.

Knowing WD, unless Bo plays solid defensively while putting up numbers, WD won't let him have the green jacket again easily. My guess is, even if he puts up points, if he's getting buried in the d-zone etc. then we see him limited in terms of ice-time and OZone starts (assuming Sutter is healthy).

 

My hopes are the same as many; I'd like to see him in the 2C role with Sutter handling the Dzone starts and defensive assignments. Point totals: high 30's if he can't get a good start like last year, or low 50's if he does start to get going (which I hope he does) from the get-go.

 

As a side note, I would like to see him improve in all aspects like putting up consistent pp points, forechecking (like the BADGER) more consistent FO% (even though he was the go-to guy last year)

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3 minutes ago, Jam126 said:

Did you watch the Sam Raimi movie or Marc Webb movie?

Great question. I watched the Sam Raimi for old times sake and to laugh at tobey maguire a few times - it was awesome. Though, Marc Webb has a much better name to be involved in a Spiderman film.....

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These expectations are what makes us all look silly as fans.  

But I'll play along. 

I think Bo will turn out to be a hybrid mix of Jesus and Ron Jermey.  But with better abs of course. 

Im also pretty sure when he turns 23, Justin Trudeau is gonna sing him happy birthday at his party, then step down and declare Bo the new PM. 

 

If not, he is a bust. 

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8 minutes ago, drummerboy said:

These expectations are what makes us all look silly as fans.  

But I'll play along. 

I think Bo will turn out to be a hybrid mix of Jesus and Ron Jermey.  But with better abs of course. 

Im also pretty sure when he turns 23, Justin Trudeau is gonna sing him happy birthday at his party, then step down and declare Bo the new PM. 

 

If not, he is a bust. 

Better abs then Jesus or Jerrmey? Like your  humour tho. 

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