NHL Rumors: Bo Horvat wants to stay, and Kevin Hayes agrees with Torts culture change
Anthony Scultore
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All current signals are pointing to Bo Horvat and the Vancouver Canucks coming to a contract extension.
What seems to remain uncertain is when that will actually happen for the Canucks captain. One thing is clear, he’s not overly concerned with the situation.
“I can’t let that that kind of stuff bother me,” Horvat said Monday. “I can’t always have it hanging over my head. For me, I have to put my head down and be the best leader I can. I’m a Vancouver Canuck right now and I’m going to be a Vancouver Canuck for this full year and I’m going to try to do whatever I can help this team win and that’s my main focus right now.”
NHL.com
Bo Horvat wants to stay in Vancouver
Horvat, 27, scored a career high 31 goals last season and finished with 52 points in 70 games. He’s entering the final year of his contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. Now that Miller is signed, the Canucks will have to monitor and manage their cap situation closely going forward.
Recently, GM Patrik Allvin told reporters that the two sides are talking. He also added that they view him as one of the team’s core pieces.
“We’re communicating with his camp,” Allvin said. “We’ll see if there’s a deal to be done here.”
“My wife and I love the city, we love the people, we love fans and the organization,” Horvat noted. “I want [an extension] to happen, and we’ll see what happens here but these things do take time and hopefully we can get it done soon.”
Kevin Hayes on board with Torts locker room assessment
John Tortorella is ready to get back behind the wheel of an NHL bench after a year off last season.
The 64 year-old Torts is a no-nonsense coach. You play his way or you don’t play at all. He comes in with a reputation of being hard on his players but very fair. He also is the 14th winningest coach in history with a record 673-541-37-132, two Jack Adams Awards, and one Stanley Cup.
When it comes to a locker room, he knows what makes one tick. That’s why in recent conversations with his players it’s become obvious there could be a serious problem.
“I have major concerns about the room,” Tortorella said in a recent interview. “Before we even step on the ice, situations and standards and accountability in the room is forefront. You can’t get squat done on the ice until you get your room straightened out, and I think we have a little bit of work to do there.”
One his key players, Kevin Hayes is in agreement with his new coach.
“Obviously something needs to change,” Hayes said on SiriusXM. “We weren’t very good at all and if we’re going to change the culture I think Torts is the correct guy to have it. I think in order to have a successful team, you need to have accountability. Torts is gonna hold all players accountable and that’s how you win.”
Hayes, 30, registered 31 points in 48 games during an injury plagued 2021-22 campaign.
The Flyers finished 8th in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-46-11 record for 61 points.
