Subj : Canucks' Horvat & Boeser: Watch ;ut NHL
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers
Date : Wed Aug 15 2018 03:23 pm
The 2018-19 NHL season is fast approaching and the hype is rising. For
Vancouver Canucks fans, it will be a season that puts the team';s future in
perspective and the rest of the league should be wary. Bo Horvat and Brock
Boeser are leading the youth charge - the league got a taste of the duo';s
prowess last season but injuries prevented what might have been.Bo Horvat is
the Real Deal
After four seasons in blue and green and following the retirement of Henrik
Sedin last season, Horvat has been labeled the Canucks'; future captain. The
23-year-old has the confidence, maturity and poise of a 15-season veteran and
plays with consistency in all facets of the game.Vancouver Canucks Bo Horvat
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
"Bo is a really important player for us and does a lot of important things,"
Canucks winger Sam Gagner told NHL.com. "He plays on both sides of the puck; he
was on the first power play unit, he plays on the penalty kill, takes important
face-offs, so I';m sure he';s going to continue to grow into that role."
His 200-foot game paired with his offensive skill makes Horvat one of the top
centers in the NHL. He may not have received the credit yet but mark my words,
he will soon enough.
To paint a picture of his gifts in the offensive zone, compare his stats
through four seasons to the two best Canucks of all time: Daniel and Henrik
Sedin. After the twins'; first four seasons in the NHL, Daniel logged 61 goals
and 90 helpers for 151 points in 315 games while Henrik put up 44 goals and 102
apples for 146 points in 318 games. In 295 games, Horvat has 71 markers and 90
assists for 161 points.
The twins were able to feed off each other phenomenally during their careers to
elevate their play. Horvat has just recently found his perfect comrade: Brock
Boeser.Brock Boeser: Coming in Hot
Boeser, the Burnsville, Minnesota product wasted no time in making a strong
impression. In his first 71 NHL games, he found twine 33 times and helped out
on an additional 27. He was rewarded with an appearance in the 2018 NHL
All-Star Game and was voted a finalist for the Calder Trophy.VANCOUVER, BC -
FEBRUARY 2: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks checks Brock Boeser #6
of the Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Like Horvat, Boeser was held back by the infamous Canucks'; injury bug. Many
believe that had it not been for his wrist injury, he would have won the
Calder. He is now recovering from a back injury suffered in early March that
was caused by a borderline hit from New York Islanders'; forward, Cal
Clutterbuck (though many consider it a cheap shot).
"It was hard, especially because I love the game so much and I never want to
miss any games," Boeser told Sportsnet. "But I've got to look at the other side
of it. I am pretty lucky because that injury could have ended my career,
honestly."
Regardless, the league saw what this young man was capable of: he is a pure
sniper with an unteachable gift to find open ice and capitalize on
opportunities.
"He just goes out and plays, doesn';t overthink things and finds ways to create
chances and score when he gets them. I talked to him a bit this summer; he';s
healthy and getting ready to get back to it," Gagner told NHL.com.
Fans are hopeful that Gagner';s words are true and Boeser is ready to bounce
back. After recording 27 points in his first 30 games, it was clear that he was
ready for the big leagues but he chalks up a lot of his early success to the
guidance of the Sedins and Horvat, as he told the NHL Network back in November
of 2017.
Horvat';s guidance has blossomed into chemistry and a dynamic partnership with
Boeser that is a handful for opponents.Boeser and Horvat 2018-19
The 2018-19 season, as previously mentioned, is a very important one for the
up-and-coming Canucks. Boeser and Horvat are expected to lead the way and
dominate offensively. With the Sedins out of the picture, more pressure is on
the young duo to make an impact particularly on Horvat, who is expected to
contribute offensively and pick up some of the leadership-slack that has been
left by the twins.Bo Horvat (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)
Expectations should be managed wisely for the young load-bearers but if they
can stay healthy, they should be able to contribute a minimum of 30 goals each.
Playing top-line minutes and manning the team';s top power-play unit (that was
good last season and has only improved) should equate to a lot of offensive
production. Also, sharing some ice with a talent like Elias
Pettersson, should he make the roster, will undoubtedly spell trouble for the
rest of the league.
"I think it';s important to have young guys grow into those roles and push
veteran players to be better," Gagner said. "It';s obviously a different animal
when you get to the NHL level, but we saw what Boeser was able to do this year
and we got a little taste of Gaudette at the end of the year and we';ve got
some more guys coming up like Pettersson. The list really goes on. It';s an
exciting time to be a Canuck and I think for us as veteran guys, we come in
ready to go and we';re ready to lead the way."
How good do you think Boeser and Horvat will be in the 2018-19 season? Let me
know in the comments below!
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