Bo Horvat became the latest player this offseason to sign a long-term contract.
Horvat and the Vancouver Canucks agreed to a six-year contract on Friday worth $33 million over the next six years. The 22-year-old forward will make $5.5 million annually. Horvat will be one of the highest-paid Canucks, behind Daniel and Henrik Sedin ($7 million) and Loui Eriksson ($6 million).
Couldn't be happier spending the next 6 years here in Vancouver!!This is where my heart is and where I want to be. Let's get going!! #Nucks
— Bo Horvat (@BoHorvat) September 8, 2017
Canucks general manager Jim Benning said he was hopeful that both sides would come to an agreement this week. “It’s going well,” he told Sportsnet 650 Vancouver on Sept. 4. “Hopefully we can get it done here in the next week.”
The signing occurred during the timeframe Benning had predicted.
Horvat, coming off a career year, was in line for a pay raise. He made $850,000 on his entry-level contract, which expired following the 2016-17 season, during which Horvay led the team with 20 goals and 52 points, and earned his first All-Star Game nomination.
"Every year he's come in he's play hard for us, and he's gotten better," Benning said. "We look at him as one of our core, young players, and we're very excited we got it done for six years."
"I love Vancouver, the city and the organization. The six year deal was the most attractive to me - this is where I want to be." - @BoHorvat
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 8, 2017
The Canucks selected Horvat with the ninth pick in the 2013 NHL draft, a selection Vancouver acquired as part of a trade that sent goaltender Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils.