It would be the ultimate do-over. And it would lend itself to the argument that sometimes in professional sports, you can go home again.
In January 2023, the Vancouver Canucks made a move few believed they’d ever see, sending captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty, and a first-round pick. For Horvat, the shock was personal too — the ninth-overall pick in 2013 admitted he never expected to wear another sweater than the one he broke into the league with.
“I thought I was going to be a Canuck for life, to be honest with you,” he said shortly after the trade. “Things just didn’t work out that way.”
Perhaps the time spent on Long Island will end up being a slight detour. Because chatter is growing over the potential for Vancouver to bring Horvat back home.
Chatter Grows Over Vancouver Reuniting With Former Captain Bo Horvat
If the Canucks were to reacquire Horvat, the move wouldn’t just be sentimental — it makes sense structurally. Horvat remains a dependable two-way center capable of handling significant minutes, contributing offensively, and anchoring a second line in a way that few free agents or trade targets could. He still wins draws, plays well in puck possession situations, and has shown he can handle responsibility in high-leverage roles.
Beyond raw stats, Horvat’s return would likely stabilize Vancouver’s middle six in a way that’s been missing. The top line with Elias Pettersson would be better supported, and depth forwards could operate with less pressure to overcompensate. On special teams and in defensive-zone faceoff starts, he’d bring experience and steadiness — vital in tight playoff races.
Off the ice, Horvat’s symbolic weight in Vancouver can’t be underestimated. He was, after all, the team’s captain. Returning him would resonate with the fan base, perhaps even reignite engagement among loyalists who treated his departure as a heartbreak. It’d be a signal that the franchise still honors its legacy, and it could help anchor locker room leadership around a familiar face.
Canucks & Islanders Could Have a Do-Over With Horvat-for-Raty Swap
At the time of the original Horvat trade, Vancouver was facing issues related to the salary cap. The recent extension of J.T. Miller basically priced the team out of resigning Horvat, but a lot has changed in the short time since, with Miller now skating for the Rangers, and the salary cap now scheduled to increase, putting the Canucks in a good spot to take on Horvat’s $8.5 million cap hit through 2029-30. The Islanders, meanwhile, are transitioning to a younger team and would likely grab the chance to shed some salary.
In this revised landscape, Horvat is less of a burden and more of a strategic buyback. For Vancouver, acquiring a strong second-line center aligns perfectly. For New York, getting depth, youth and flexibility might outweigh holding onto an aging contract.
One interesting wrinkle: the trade package going back to the Islanders could include Aatu Räty, who was part of Vancouver’s return in the first Horvat trade. Räty, currently a center/forward in the Canucks system, has shown development and upside. Including him in the deal would add a “homecoming reversal” flavor — the Islanders regaining a player they once gave up, now potentially further along.
Adding defensive prospect Victor Mancini could sweeten the deal. Mancini, a right-shot defenseman in Vancouver’s system, offers size, physicality, and promise in his own right. For an Islanders team seeking to strengthen the blue line depth and retool for the future, his inclusion might be appealing.
So a conceptual trade might look like:
To Vancouver: Bo Horvat
To New York: Aatu Räty, Victor Mancini, Aku Koskenvuo
A Bo Horvat return to Vancouver isn’t a guaranteed storyline — there are obstacles, contracts, and egos to navigate. But in 2025, the alignment is more compelling than ever.