Bo Horvat contract: Islander signs massive extension ahead of deadline

Last week, Bo Horvat was on the move. The Vancouver Canucks and the New York Islanders beat everyone to the punch, beginning the trade deadline merry-go-round with a huge deal. The package for the superstar was a first-round pick, prospect Aatu Raty and Anthony Beauvillier.

Just a week later, the New York Islanders signed their new asset to a massive extension to make Horvat one of the highest paid players in the league.

Bo Horvat signs 8-year deal at 8.5 million AAV

Those are the terms for the Islanders, as Lou Lameriello quickly locked up their newest acquisition. The new contract means that the Islanders won’t have to worry about re-signing Horvat in the offseason, as he was set to go into unrestricted free agency.

The massive contract extension for the former Canucks star also adds more clarity to what Lameriello and the Islanders' game plan was when bringing him to Long Island. Skeptics initially questioned the trade due to the Islanders currently sitting outside the playoff picture in the Metropolitan division.

The new signing offers context that the Islanders got the talented center less as a rental for an unseen cup run, but more as a key piece for the future.

Bo Horvat hasn't even played a game on Long Island, but the Islanders have already bought in big

The signing for the Islanders will also make Bo Horvat the second highest paid player on the team. Mathew Barzal leads the team with his recent contract extension at 9.125 million AAV that will run until the 2030-31 season.

It looks like the Islanders' plan is to make those two players the centerpiece of their team for years to come.

Despite a couple of rocky seasons in recent memory, the former Canuck captain has been on a tear this season in his contract year. The 27 year-old who is in the midst of his prime, has already matched his goal total from a season ago in 30 fewer games and eclipsed his assist total as well.

The planned contract for the Islanders will run until Horvat’s age 35 season. This may mean that the Islanders (with almost $5 million worth of cap room left, and projected cap room of almost $9 million at the deadline) will be looking to make more upgrades as they make a push for the playoffs.

With regards to that, we will have to wait and see.