Canucks captain Bo Horvat is trying to focus on hockey amid the whirlwind of trade talks

VANCOUVER Bo Horvat doesn’t want to talk about his future with the Vancouver Canucks.

Still, after recent reports on his contract status, the Canucks’ captain found himself surrounded by microphones after Tuesday’s practice.

The 27-year-old Center will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and multiple outlets have reported that he and his agent recently rejected the Canucks’ latest offer for a new contract.

“I’ve always wanted to keep things like this confidential,” Horvat told reporters. “Right from the start of this season, I just wanted to focus on hockey and focus on the team and winning games and try to lead this team by example and not let this be a distraction.”

Vancouver is reportedly listening to trade offers for the first-line center.

The news has taken its toll, Horvat said.

He, his parents and his wife have been bombarded by text messages, and the news has also spread to the Vancouver locker room.

I feel sorry for my teammates because I have to hear about all this in the media,” he said. “And I don’t want it to be a distraction, so I apologize to them.”

Horvat is in the final year of a six-year deal worth an average of $5.5 million annually and is likely in line for a significant raise.

The Canucks (12-13-3) have struggled this year, but Horvat looks poised for a career-best season with 20 goals and nine assists in 28 games.

He scored the league’s fourth-most goals Tuesday night, behind Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (25), Dallas’ Jason Robertson (23) and Buffalo’s Tage Thompson (21).

I’ve been trying to put (contract negotiations) in the back of my mind and just go play and try to lead this team to the playoffs and do everything I can to help the team win,” said Horvat, who was named the 14th captain in Canucks history in October 2019.

– I try not to let it be a distraction, and so far it’s been good.

Originally selected ninth overall by the Canucks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the six-foot, 215-pound native of London, Ont., has 395 points (190 goals, 205 assists) in more than 600 regular-season games with Vancouver.

I want to be a Vancouver Canuck. I’m a Vancouver Canuck right now until they say otherwise,” Horvat said. “For me, I have nothing but respect for this organization. I have been very loyal to this organization and will continue to be.

Horvat released a statement through the team on Tuesday saying he has no further comment on his future this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 13, 2022.

The Canadian Press