Islanders Mailbag: Bo Horvat Extension, ‘Lou Did What He Had To Do’

The New York Islanders are back in action tonight as they face off against the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 PM ET in Philly. Newcomer Bo Horvat, who inked an eight-year extension on Sunday morning, will make his New York Islanders debut alongside Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey, if the practice lines hold up.

Let’s get to your questions, comments, and concerns.

Lou did what he had to in order to get Bo then got him signed. (@caruss18)

New York Islanders Lou Lamoriello had to re-sign Bo Horvat for the trade to be worth it. The Islanders were the only ones that could offer Horvat the eighth year, and that meant leverage.

“Well, I think it’s usually the solidifying fact that you don’t want to do now, as I said, contracts these days are too long. You understand that?”

On the open market, whether you like it or not, Horvat was getting $8.5 million from someone.

Was never worried about getting the extension done. But what I was worried about was seeing Bailey playing alongside Bo and Barzal. I just don’t understand. (@GareMedia)

Right now, the Islanders are still without a needed top-six piece. Yes, the Islanders could have moved Nelson to the wing or placed any of the Nelson line at LW1.

But head coach Lane Lambert didn’t seem willing to break them up yet given how hot they were.

I think Zach Parise would be the only other option right now. Simon Holmstrom and Hudson Fasching are bottom-six players.

Love it. It’s on Barzy now to show if he’s for real or not (@macrobubble)

I couldn’t agree more. Not that Mat Barzal ever complained, Lamoriello got him a high-caliber player to play alongside.

Now it’s time for Barzal to show that he was being held back a bit and that he can take his game to a new level with Horvat.

I did a column on this the other day: HERE

I’m a bit angry at the players in the room. They were the ones who end of last season, said Trotz’s message wasn’t working, and they paid that off with an awful first 50 games. (@smilesandisles)

I hear what you’re saying, but I wouldn’t blame the players. Both things could be true, that Barry Trotz lost the room but that he wasn’t the only reason for their struggles.

The blame should be on Lamoriello, for miss-evaluating the struggles from 2021-22. That comes back to loyalty.

If any other team made this signing in the off-season, they’d be praised for it. Lou got it done with a bonus 30 games to play this season. Very excited to have who would have been the best FA available (@CtrlMattgic)

Lamoriello certainly took a gamble and was proactive. But it paid off, and now he gives the Islanders more of a chance to make the postseason and more of a chance to force his hand into buying if they get into a playoff spot by the March 3 trade deadline.

What do you anticipate Sorokin’s next contract will look like? Maybe 8 by 8? (@Kyle899905201)

Look around the NHL. Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy makes $9.5 million. New York Rangers netminder makes $5.6 million but signed that before stardom.

I could see Ilya Sorokin getting $9 million at the minimum, but if anyone could find a way to get Sorokin to agree to an 8 x 8 deal, it’s Lou. I don’t see Sorokin going anywhere.

A healthy Pelech will be just as big over these final 32 games. (@NYisles1)

Adam Pelech has shown time and time again that he is the glue that holds this team together.

His first two games back from injury were rather tough, but he looked more like himself over the final two games before the break. He will have to be his usual self if the Islanders have any chance to qualify for the postseason.

You wanna know how I feel? I’m at a truck stop on my way to Philly because the boys got me hype (@ChrisEsturo)

As most of you know, Bo Horvat is making his New York Islanders debut Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

And it’s not too late Islanders fans, for you to snag a ticket at Wells Fargo Center. I use the Game Time app, and right now, you can get seats for $26.

This is not only great news on the surface but an excellent sign that the Islanders CAN sign big and big-name players. (@bishopvillered)

The New York Islanders have locked up some solid players over the last few years upon acquiring them in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri, but this is the first player of Bo Horvat’s level to agree to stay, and stay for a long time.

At the end of the day, free agents are attracted to winning environments in the NHL, not just money. If the Islanders can find a way to prove they can be more competitive in the second half here, that bodes well for them landing free agents, with Horvat helping.

Any word on Wahlstrom and Clutterbuck? I haven’t seen anything reliable saying they will be out for the season. But I remember you mentioning it. Just wondering if you ever got better info on that. (@TomD37)

We have not been provided any new information on th status of Oliver Wahlstrom or Cal Clutterbuck. Both are out indefinitely, with neither of the locations of the injuries being provided. Despite being listed as a lower-body injury, no one truly knew what went wrong with Oliver Wahlstrom after he crushed Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel back on Dec. 27.

Just watch his right leg. VIDEO OF HIT

For Cal Clutterbuck, it looked like he took a slash before leaving the ice against the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 19. He has been in and out of the lineup the whole season, but the last few times because of hand, so we think. The injury is not related to his shoulder.

NYI HOCKEY NOW

Bo Horvat signs an eight-year extension worth $68 million dollars.

Here’s why Bo Horvat agreed to an eight-year extension with the New York Islanders.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is not a fan of the length of contracts or the cost of contracts in today’s NHL, and he made that known at his Sunday press conference.

With Aatu Räty out of the picture, here’s a handful of prospects within the New York Islanders organization that fans should be excited for.

NATIONAL HOCKEY NOW

Montreal Hockey Now: The trade deadline is coming up, here are some Montreal Canadiens prospects we could see on the move shortly.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is this the start of the end for Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan?

Philly Hockey Now: At least one NHL team has an interest in Flyers forward Kevin Hayes ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.

Washington Hockey Now: Long Island native Sonny Milano signed a three-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks traded Jaycob Megna to the Seattle Kraken for a conditional 2023 fourth-round pick.