Horvat Blog - "Dad, They knew my name.."

[NewbieCanuckFan]

1 hour ago, cyoung said:

Exactly the the player we needed.  

Bo Horvat is Batman!

 

"He's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight."

 

 

[blackpluto96]

His playing exceeded most expectations and the all-star vote is a testament to that. But the thing that really blew all expectations away is his character, commitment and maturity at 21.  He is the one that can carry the torch from Hank as the classiness of our captain-hood carries on (wink Dustin Brown). 

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

 

Great job Bo, you deserved it and made the perfect rep for the Canucks. 

[Team Bagues]

6 hours ago, Setyoureyesontheprize said:

Great photo. Like two kids in a candy store....

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

Didn't see it posted anywhere but figured Botchford's latest was a good fit for this thread.

 

The article does a great job detailing how Horvat's All Star weekend was the exclamation point on the coming out party we've been watching the last while.

 

Bo is proving to be one of the best players from his draft year.

 

He's truly one of this league's emerging young stars.

 

And he is becoming (if he isn't already) a first line level talent in the NHL.

 

Here's the article: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/jason-botchford-horvat-should-be-playing-with-hansen-if-speed-matters

 

Quote

Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon was drafted first overall in 2013, and Bo Horvat wasn’t.

MacKinnon, rightfully, was universally believed to be the fastest skater in that draft. Horvat wasn’t. That one wasn’t even close.

MacKinnon was viewed as a franchise player, a lock to be a first-line centre. Horvat was the shutdown guy on the London Knights, expected, if all went well, to spend much of his career winning D-zone faceoffs, playing in the middle six.

Three-and-a-half years later, both were all-stars, their production this season separated by a single point. And when they raced in one of the all-star event’s most fascinating competitions, it provided one of the weekend’s true “wait,-what?” moments.

You’re now supposed to believe Horvat is faster than MacKinnon because, well, in Los Angeles he was. Yes, life moves fast.

But Vancouver’s take-away from all-star weekend shouldn’t be about comparing Horvat with MacKinnon. Instead, it should about realizing the people who claim to know what Horvat can’t be don’t have a clue.

For whatever reasons, there’s really no consensus on whether Horvat can be a top-line centre. Thing is, he’s 21 years old and his production is already on the fringe.

The 30 centres who are playing the most this season are averaging 37 points. Horvat has 32, leads his team, and is doing it from what has been a definitive third-line role.

When he’s compared with Joe Pavelski, like he was during Sunday’s broadcast, no one should be surprised. They both hit 40 points in their first full NHL seasons. But Pavelski was 23 years old when he did it, and Horvat 20.

All of this is important because if Horvat really is going to be a first-line centre in a couple of years, it should probably change how this organization’s current direction is viewed. Rather than spending time worrying about squeezing more out of the Sedins’ final chapter and “competing for a playoff spot,” the real urgency should be centred around trying to get the most of Horvat’s peak years.

Commonly, NHL players peak from age 23 to 27 and if those years are going to be great for Horvat, the Canucks need to get him elite weapons to play with.

Canucks coach Willie Desjardins has always seen Horvat’s future as a defensive centre. That’s not how he looked in the all-star game. Maybe it was the jersey, or the fact no one was trying, or his linemate Johnny Gaudreau, but Horvat looked as skilled and as comfortable as nearly anyone.

It wasn’t so much the four points he put up in his two 3-on-3 “games.” It was more the way he did it, including a dazzling breakaway goal and a killer pass to Gaudreau, which sent the Flames’ star in on a breakaway of his own.

Sure it was lazy hockey, and it meant nothing, but the best compliment to Horvat is that he looked like he belonged with the league’s elite, and honestly no one thought this would be possible three years ago.

At some point this season, Horvat is going to get a bigger role and with it everyone can better gauge where his offensive game is at. The Canucks actually have a chance to start this process soon.
 

 

 

At this point in the article, Botch makes an argument that Hansen, when he returns to the lineup, should play with Horvat. Personally, I've been leaning toward putting Hansen with the twins, but I can definitely see the reasoning behind reuniting our fastest skater with the kid who just placed third (IIRC) in the ASG's fastest skater contest.

 

Not to mention Hansen being a talent upgrade for Horvat's line. No disrespect meant to Burrows, but Hansen has been near elite levels at points production per 5v5 minute played for several years. 

 

The questions for me are (1) who needs Hansen more, Horvat or the Sedins and (2) which placement would benefit the team more, both now and moving forward?

 

The answer to (1) seems to be the Sedins, at least based on their with/without Hansen numbers over the past several seasons. Not to say that Eriksson has been a statistically poor match for the twins. But observationally speaking, based on watching their shifts, Hansen's combination of a high 5v5 production rate and an extremely complimentary playstyle to the twins' game, when compared to what we've seen from Eriksson, provides an option for an upgrade (and a considerable one IMO).

 

Horvat, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be suffering in the slightest with his current linemates. And Burrows has fit like a glove, providing a supporting presence that helps both Bo and Baer play to their strengths (and the with/without production and underlying numbers show this clearly, as does the eye test).

 

So maybe you don't fix something that isn't broken.

 

But maybe playing with Hansen allows Horvat to further elevate his game? 

 

And should "fixing" the twins come before possibly giving Horvat a linemate that might help him progress even further in his development as a potential first line player? Could Hansen be the addition that finally makes the transition clear? Should the team take care of Horvat first and start truly thinking of him as their first line centre? And should Hank and Danny stop being the ones that get first "dibs" on linemates?

 

And if we're at the point where Horvat really is becoming our first line centre, then the answer to (2) seems to be that the lineup choices that most benefit Horvat are probably the ones that are also best for the team, both now and moving forward.

 

So is it time to start thinking first about what's best for Horvat (instead of what's best for the twins)?

 

It's an interesting question.

 

Here's the rest of the article with Botchford's take on what to do when Hansen returns:

 

Quote

Jannik Hansen is expected to return within the next couple of weeks. For the past four seasons, he’s led the franchise in even-strength, goal-scoring rate.

He’s also the fastest player on the team and if speed kills, which it does, how can you not want to see him play with Horvat, who finished third in L.A. in the league’s fastest-skater competition?

Alex Burrows has been great with Horvat and Baertschi, and is the unquestioned best defensive forward on the team. But at this stage of his career he’s not going to give his linemates a lot of offensive push.

Hansen can do that with Horvat.

Who says no?

 

[Johnny Torts]

GAAAAAW-LEEEEE!

 

BO, YOU HAD ME AT HELLO.

[Johnny Torts]

8 hours ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

Bo Horvat is Batman!

 

"He's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight."

 

 

He is SuperBo

[spook007]

6 hours ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Didn't see it posted anywhere but figured Botchford's latest was a good fit for this thread.

 

The article does a great job detailing how Horvat's All Star weekend was the exclamation point on the coming out party we've been watching the last while.

 

Bo is proving to be one of the best players from his draft year.

 

He's truly one of this league's emerging young stars.

 

And he is becoming (if he isn't already) a first line level talent in the NHL.

 

Here's the article: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/jason-botchford-horvat-should-be-playing-with-hansen-if-speed-matters

 

 

At this point in the article, Botch makes an argument that Hansen, when he returns to the lineup, should play with Horvat. Personally, I've been leaning toward putting Hansen with the twins, but I can definitely see the reasoning behind reuniting our fastest skater with the kid who just placed third (IIRC) in the ASG's fastest skater contest.

 

Not to mention Hansen being a talent upgrade for Horvat's line. No disrespect meant to Burrows, but Hansen has been near elite levels at points production per 5v5 minute played for several years. 

 

The questions for me are (1) who needs Hansen more, Horvat or the Sedins and (2) which placement would benefit the team more, both now and moving forward?

 

The answer to (1) seems to be the Sedins, at least based on their with/without Hansen numbers over the past several seasons. Not to say that Eriksson has been a statistically poor match for the twins. But observationally speaking, based on watching their shifts, Hansen's combination of a high 5v5 production rate and an extremely complimentary playstyle to the twins' game, when compared to what we've seen from Eriksson, provides an option for an upgrade (and a considerable one IMO).

 

Horvat, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be suffering in the slightest with his current linemates. And Burrows has fit like a glove, providing a supporting presence that helps both Bo and Baer play to their strengths (and the with/without production and underlying numbers show this clearly, as does the eye test).

 

So maybe you don't fix something that isn't broken.

 

But maybe playing with Hansen allows Horvat to further elevate his game? 

 

And should "fixing" the twins come before possibly giving Horvat a linemate that might help him progress even further in his development as a potential first line player? Could Hansen be the addition that finally makes the transition clear? Should the team take care of Horvat first and start truly thinking of him as their first line centre? And should Hank and Danny stop being the ones that get first "dibs" on linemates?

 

And if we're at the point where Horvat really is becoming our first line centre, then the answer to (2) seems to be that the lineup choices that most benefit Horvat are probably the ones that are also best for the team, both now and moving forward.

 

So is it time to start thinking first about what's best for Horvat (instead of what's best for the twins)?

 

It's an interesting question.

 

Here's the rest of the article with Botchford's take on what to do when Hansen returns:

 

Honey Badger makes everyone better... Hansen rocks 

[WeneedLumme]

59 minutes ago, spook007 said:

Honey Badger makes everyone better... Hansen rocks 

He does. But I still prefer the idea of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Bo and Baer didn't blossom this year until Burr was put on their wing. Hansen is the best fit with the twins, and Eriksson works fine on Sutter's line. All three of those right wingers fit just fine on any line, but why not stick with what works?

[spook007]

51 minutes ago, WeneedLumme said:

He does. But I still prefer the idea of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Bo and Baer didn't blossom this year until Burr was put on their wing. Hansen is the best fit with the twins, and Eriksson works fine on Sutter's line. All three of those right wingers fit just fine on any line, but why not stick with what works?

It's possible that Horvat would work better with Hansen on his wing (they did great together in the beginning). 

But while that seems to be the case, the fact, as you mention, Hansen seems to easily be the best fit with the Sedins, Bo works well with Burr and Baer + The sutter line was fine with Erikson, it to me is a no brainer to carry on like this. 

If the Hansen-Sedin line or Bo-Burr line should drop dead, a case can definitely be made for trying Hansen with Bo again, but for now, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[kloubek]

I think keeping Hansen with the Sedins is important.  We need that line to score, and he has been the most consistent linemate for them.

I am not sure this season is the season we want Bo to flourish.  It's a selfish position, but his contract is up and we need to sign him.  Hopefully long-term.  The more he scores this season, the more he is going to command.  Keep him doing defensive specialist roles until he signs, then watch him potentially flourish into the 1st line role.

[Phat Fingers]

8 hours ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Didn't see it posted anywhere but figured Botchford's latest was a good fit for this thread.

 

The article does a great job detailing how Horvat's All Star weekend was the exclamation point on the coming out party we've been watching the last while.

 

Bo is proving to be one of the best players from his draft year.

 

He's truly one of this league's emerging young stars.

 

And he is becoming (if he isn't already) a first line level talent in the NHL.

 

Here's the article: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/jason-botchford-horvat-should-be-playing-with-hansen-if-speed-matters

 

 

At this point in the article, Botch makes an argument that Hansen, when he returns to the lineup, should play with Horvat. Personally, I've been leaning toward putting Hansen with the twins, but I can definitely see the reasoning behind reuniting our fastest skater with the kid who just placed third (IIRC) in the ASG's fastest skater contest.

 

Not to mention Hansen being a talent upgrade for Horvat's line. No disrespect meant to Burrows, but Hansen has been near elite levels at points production per 5v5 minute played for several years. 

 

The questions for me are (1) who needs Hansen more, Horvat or the Sedins and (2) which placement would benefit the team more, both now and moving forward?

 

The answer to (1) seems to be the Sedins, at least based on their with/without Hansen numbers over the past several seasons. Not to say that Eriksson has been a statistically poor match for the twins. But observationally speaking, based on watching their shifts, Hansen's combination of a high 5v5 production rate and an extremely complimentary playstyle to the twins' game, when compared to what we've seen from Eriksson, provides an option for an upgrade (and a considerable one IMO).

 

Horvat, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be suffering in the slightest with his current linemates. And Burrows has fit like a glove, providing a supporting presence that helps both Bo and Baer play to their strengths (and the with/without production and underlying numbers show this clearly, as does the eye test).

 

So maybe you don't fix something that isn't broken.

 

But maybe playing with Hansen allows Horvat to further elevate his game? 

 

And should "fixing" the twins come before possibly giving Horvat a linemate that might help him progress even further in his development as a potential first line player? Could Hansen be the addition that finally makes the transition clear? Should the team take care of Horvat first and start truly thinking of him as their first line centre? And should Hank and Danny stop being the ones that get first "dibs" on linemates?

 

And if we're at the point where Horvat really is becoming our first line centre, then the answer to (2) seems to be that the lineup choices that most benefit Horvat are probably the ones that are also best for the team, both now and moving forward.

 

So is it time to start thinking first about what's best for Horvat (instead of what's best for the twins)?

 

It's an interesting question.

 

Here's the rest of the article with Botchford's take on what to do when Hansen returns:

 

Sid,

 

 

Thanks for posting the article. I like the direction Botch took for once and so think Bo is showing WD wrong about him. One option for a winger that wasn't presented is put Burrows with Sutter and Granlund, put Hansen back with the twins, they need him and put Louis with Bo and Baer.  

 

That's the combo I want to see. Bo can be the driver and both Baer and Louis can fit in quite well with that type of play. 

 

EW

[Neko]

On 1/29/2017 at 7:49 PM, Green Building said:

Confidence boost maxed out. Hovat might be the next jersey I buy, which for me is actually saying something since I don't buy many.

I got one, I don't buy many either and Bo was the one I picked.

 

wouldn't mind seeing more of this on Bo

Great pic, gonna try setting him as my avatar to see what it looks like.

[TimberWolf]

I can't believe I used to have to argue with some poster that were pissed off we picked this kid up. Always knew we had a gem. 

[spur1]

I would like to see Burrows back with the twins. Hansen with Bo

[PhillipBlunt]

8 hours ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Didn't see it posted anywhere but figured Botchford's latest was a good fit for this thread.

 

The article does a great job detailing how Horvat's All Star weekend was the exclamation point on the coming out party we've been watching the last while.

 

Bo is proving to be one of the best players from his draft year.

 

He's truly one of this league's emerging young stars.

 

And he is becoming (if he isn't already) a first line level talent in the NHL.

 

Here's the article: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/jason-botchford-horvat-should-be-playing-with-hansen-if-speed-matters

 

 

At this point in the article, Botch makes an argument that Hansen, when he returns to the lineup, should play with Horvat. Personally, I've been leaning toward putting Hansen with the twins, but I can definitely see the reasoning behind reuniting our fastest skater with the kid who just placed third (IIRC) in the ASG's fastest skater contest.

 

Not to mention Hansen being a talent upgrade for Horvat's line. No disrespect meant to Burrows, but Hansen has been near elite levels at points production per 5v5 minute played for several years. 

 

The questions for me are (1) who needs Hansen more, Horvat or the Sedins and (2) which placement would benefit the team more, both now and moving forward?

 

The answer to (1) seems to be the Sedins, at least based on their with/without Hansen numbers over the past several seasons. Not to say that Eriksson has been a statistically poor match for the twins. But observationally speaking, based on watching their shifts, Hansen's combination of a high 5v5 production rate and an extremely complimentary playstyle to the twins' game, when compared to what we've seen from Eriksson, provides an option for an upgrade (and a considerable one IMO).

 

Horvat, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be suffering in the slightest with his current linemates. And Burrows has fit like a glove, providing a supporting presence that helps both Bo and Baer play to their strengths (and the with/without production and underlying numbers show this clearly, as does the eye test).

 

So maybe you don't fix something that isn't broken.

 

But maybe playing with Hansen allows Horvat to further elevate his game? 

 

And should "fixing" the twins come before possibly giving Horvat a linemate that might help him progress even further in his development as a potential first line player? Could Hansen be the addition that finally makes the transition clear? Should the team take care of Horvat first and start truly thinking of him as their first line centre? And should Hank and Danny stop being the ones that get first "dibs" on linemates?

 

And if we're at the point where Horvat really is becoming our first line centre, then the answer to (2) seems to be that the lineup choices that most benefit Horvat are probably the ones that are also best for the team, both now and moving forward.

 

So is it time to start thinking first about what's best for Horvat (instead of what's best for the twins)?

 

It's an interesting question.

 

Here's the rest of the article with Botchford's take on what to do when Hansen returns:

 

I think that the main priority for the Canucks is giving the new emerging core players the optimal setting and linemates to help to grow and mature their game.

 

The Sedins, while stalwarts for this team, should be considered secondary. And if I'm not mistaken, that is exactly what both Henrik and Daniel are looking for.

[PhillipBlunt]

32 minutes ago, kloubek said:

I think keeping Hansen with the Sedins is important.  We need that line to score, and he has been the most consistent linemate for them.

I am not sure this season is the season we want Bo to flourish.  It's a selfish position, but his contract is up and we need to sign him.  Hopefully long-term.  The more he scores this season, the more he is going to command.  Keep him doing defensive specialist roles until he signs, then watch him potentially flourish into the 1st line role.

With all due respect, that reasoning is counterproductive. If a player is hitting a new plateau, the last thing that coaches and general managers should do is intentionally stifle that growth in hopes of maintaining some leverage at the contract bargaining table.

 

Either you want exceptional players, or you don't.

[JM_]

9 hours ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Didn't see it posted anywhere but figured Botchford's latest was a good fit for this thread.

 

The article does a great job detailing how Horvat's All Star weekend was the exclamation point on the coming out party we've been watching the last while.

 

Bo is proving to be one of the best players from his draft year.

 

He's truly one of this league's emerging young stars.

 

And he is becoming (if he isn't already) a first line level talent in the NHL.

 

Here's the article: http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/jason-botchford-horvat-should-be-playing-with-hansen-if-speed-matters

 

 

At this point in the article, Botch makes an argument that Hansen, when he returns to the lineup, should play with Horvat. Personally, I've been leaning toward putting Hansen with the twins, but I can definitely see the reasoning behind reuniting our fastest skater with the kid who just placed third (IIRC) in the ASG's fastest skater contest.

 

Not to mention Hansen being a talent upgrade for Horvat's line. No disrespect meant to Burrows, but Hansen has been near elite levels at points production per 5v5 minute played for several years. 

 

The questions for me are (1) who needs Hansen more, Horvat or the Sedins and (2) which placement would benefit the team more, both now and moving forward?

 

The answer to (1) seems to be the Sedins, at least based on their with/without Hansen numbers over the past several seasons. Not to say that Eriksson has been a statistically poor match for the twins. But observationally speaking, based on watching their shifts, Hansen's combination of a high 5v5 production rate and an extremely complimentary playstyle to the twins' game, when compared to what we've seen from Eriksson, provides an option for an upgrade (and a considerable one IMO).

 

Horvat, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be suffering in the slightest with his current linemates. And Burrows has fit like a glove, providing a supporting presence that helps both Bo and Baer play to their strengths (and the with/without production and underlying numbers show this clearly, as does the eye test).

 

So maybe you don't fix something that isn't broken.

 

But maybe playing with Hansen allows Horvat to further elevate his game? 

 

And should "fixing" the twins come before possibly giving Horvat a linemate that might help him progress even further in his development as a potential first line player? Could Hansen be the addition that finally makes the transition clear? Should the team take care of Horvat first and start truly thinking of him as their first line centre? And should Hank and Danny stop being the ones that get first "dibs" on linemates?

 

And if we're at the point where Horvat really is becoming our first line centre, then the answer to (2) seems to be that the lineup choices that most benefit Horvat are probably the ones that are also best for the team, both now and moving forward.

 

So is it time to start thinking first about what's best for Horvat (instead of what's best for the twins)?

 

It's an interesting question.

 

Here's the rest of the article with Botchford's take on what to do when Hansen returns:

 

Hansen can make this team better with Bo or with Sutter. If WD can move off the idea that Hansen "must" be with the Sedins it gives us a lot of good options. 

[lmm]

1 hour ago, spook007 said:

It's possible that Horvat would work better with Hansen on his wing (they did great together in the beginning). 

But while that seems to be the case, the fact, as you mention, Hansen seems to easily be the best fit with the Sedins, Bo works well with Burr and Baer + The sutter line was fine with Erikson, it to me is a no brainer to carry on like this. 

If the Hansen-Sedin line or Bo-Burr line should drop dead, a case can definitely be made for trying Hansen with Bo again, but for now, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

The Canucks are eeking out points due to Goaltending and D.

1/2 game with no shots

Baer 2 goals 0 assists in 7, Ganny + Sutter 1 point in 6

Dank and Loui and Burr mired in long slumps

brutal PP

Megna in the top 9

 

I would say the offense is broke but Horvat deserves all the help he can get.

[kloubek]

1 hour ago, PhillipBlunt said:

With all due respect, that reasoning is counterproductive. If a player is hitting a new plateau, the last thing that coaches and general managers should do is intentionally stifle that growth in hopes of maintaining some leverage at the contract bargaining table.

 

Either you want exceptional players, or you don't.

I totally understand, and it is certainly not the moral was of handling it if that is the sole reason to keep him from getting ice time.  Here's the thing: Most of it comes down to how WD chooses to use his players.  It is clear that while the Sedins are still our 1st line and get minutes accordingly.  Sutter is also given high minutes as he is used extensively as a role player.  He is giving solid minutes to Eriksson - presumably to get him sparked but so far no dice in that regard.  But I'm sure after paying so much for him, it would look bad giving him third line minutes.  That doesn't leave as much time for Horvat, just given the players we have already in play.

 

WD has also made it clear that he believes Horvat's role is more of a defensive one.  Now, I'm not sure I agree with that point either, but if that is how the coach perceives the situation, then he's going to play these guys accordingly.  And if that's the case, then Horvat is naturally going to get less minutes and therefore less points.  I'm just saying that it may play in our favour when it comes to contract time, by keeping his point totals relatively low.

 

It isn't necessarily that Horvat's development is lessened, so much as he is forced to work on his defensive and intangible game first.  Keep in mind the guy is still really young, and a slower transition into a top line isn't always a bad thing.  It keeps some pressure off him in order to let him develop as opposed to being expected to be the main scoring factor on the team.  From that perspective, I actually don't mind him being played a bit less.

 

I would expect, however, that he's proven himself and that he will be played as a 2nd line regular where he belongs next season over Sutter, at minimum.  Depending on how productive the Sedins are, perhaps they could even slip down to the 2nd line. 

I will say this: I had always viewed Horvat as an elite 2nd liner.... similar to Kesler.  I always knew he had more natural scoring touch than Kesler, but less grit.  But now, I'm starting to believe he truly has 1st line capabilities.  He's already scoring at a very solid pace despite his lower minutes, and he's very young yet with room to grow.  I am truly excited to see what kind of player he will become, and if he does manage to be a solid first liner that really helps our team, since talent elite enough to replace the Sedins is something we're pretty short on.