The trade deadline is Christmas comes early for some hockey teams. Some teams will sell the farm, and others will buy the entire property. One team in particular that is poised to be buyers is the Carolina Hurricanes. There is one gaping hole on the roster, and they have called on one player to fill that void. Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat fits the bill for their need.
Rumor: Carolina Checks In On Horvat
According to TSN, rumblings have been made regarding Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat. The Carolina Hurricanes have come calling, and the need is there. Will Horvat fit the market and end up being their guy? No idea. But ever since the departure of Vincent Trocheck, the team has failed to find a top-six center. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has not produced like one, and Paul Statsny, while being a good depth center, isn’t top-six material either. This position is a true X-factor come playoff time and should get solved at the deadline.
Why Check In On Horvat
There is no denying that Carolina needs a true second-line center behind Sebastian Aho. In addition, there is no denying that Horvat is arguably the hottest commodity at this deadline. Not only is he a true top-six center, but he is also having a career year. He is already one goal shy of his career high he set last year (30) while also having 18 assists for a total of 48 points. In just 43 games, he is only nine points shy of his total from last season. Horvat has 16 power-play points and four game-winning goals. He is sensational in the faceoff dot, winning 55.9% of his draws.
Horvat has good possession numbers (54% Corsi For) and an expected goals percentage of 50.8%.
Is it Worth it?
The need for a center is glaring, and that was even last off-season. But Horvat comes in as a rental, and unless they hammer out an extension, he can walk away for nothing. There is no telling if management wants to go all in on a rental, but sometimes that’s the price you pay when you want to win a championship. Carolina is a very good hockey team and could represent the east when it’s all said and done. However, unless they add a top-six center, it can make opponents’ matchup against them easier.
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So if Horvath is a rental, which is not ideal, which other center makes more sense? My personal preference would be Toews since he is a proven winner and good defensively. He’s pricey as well, but anyone worth adding will be. Who else fits the bill but won’t break the bank?
It’s tough to say because even Toews is a rental but a very good player. Carolina may have to pay a pretty penny cause Chicago easily has to retain salary. The big names are Horvat toews and possibly Ryan O’Reilly but that’s if the blues are sellers. If I am Carolina I’d go big for a top six center someone who can really produce. Staal is a UFA at seasons end. And Kotkaniemi isn’t a top six center but is suited for third line role. I’d hate to see them trade for a center similar to Statstny or Kotkaniemi. It doesn’t really help or do much. Maybe they work out a deal with Florida for Sam Reinhart and maybe move one of their defensemen to make the cap work. Reinhart has term and is a nice top six grab. Would fit nicely under Brind’Amour