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Horvat had an absurd start to the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 31 goals and 54 points in 49 contests with Vancouver. In those 49 games, the 28-year-old had already matched his previous career high in markers and was approaching his personal best of 61 points, set back in 2018-19. Horvat's insane goal scoring pace was thanks to a 21.7 shooting percentage, which was way above his career average of 13.7. Consequently, it's not too surprising he cooled down after being dealt to the Islanders on Jan. 30, though he swung a bit too hard in the other direction, contributing just seven goals and 16 points over his final 30 outings. Horvat is expected to enter 2023-24 as the Islanders' top center on a line with Mathew Barzal. A lower-body injury to Barzal kept that duo from spending much time together last season, but now that they're both healthy, they should work well together. Don't expect Horvat to start scoring at his 2022-23 first-half pace again, but it's not unreasonable to hope for him to finish with at least 30 goals and 60 points this year.
Horvat missed a dozen contests a season ago, including Vancouver's final seven games of the year due to a leg issue. Horvat's 31 goals were a new career high, but his assist total was way down, and the result was him finishing with just 52 points in 70 games. His power-play time dropped by 12 seconds per game, but Horvat still managed 19 points with the man advantage, his highest total to date. Horvat has been an above-average NHL player for years, but he is yet to have the massive breakout campaign many have been predicting for quite a while. He should be able to produce at a similar pace in 2022-23 to what we saw a season ago, but don't pay for additional production that is unlikely to materialize.
Horvat contributed 19 goals and 20 assists in 56 games for the Canucks last year, marking just the second time in seven seasons he's failed to reach the 40-point threshold. The 26-year-old center would have been on pace for just shy of a 60-point campaign in a full season, so it's nothing to worry about. The Ontario native had to pick up extra defensive responsibility after Elias Pettersson's season ended early, but Horvat's already an all-situations player as is. He's proven himself to be good for 50 points, a steady shot volume and double-digits in power-play points, making him a steady middle-rounds option at center.
Horvat was solid with 22 goals and 53 points in 69 contests last year. He's been occupying the second-line center role, but he's more than capable of playing like a top-liner, as he typically draws tougher defensive assignments than Elias Pettersson. Horvat's no slouch on offense -- he's put together four straight 20-goal campaigns and topped the 50-point mark three times in six years. The 25-year-old pivot should be expected to land between 50 and 60 points over a full season, about a quarter of which are likely to come with a man advantage. He'll also approach nearly three shots per game and maintain a strong shooting percentage, which gives him widespread fantasy appeal.
Horvat, for the second time in his first five seasons, played all 82 games of the regular season. This past season, he posted career highs in both goals (27) and assists (34), and therefore, Horvat's 61 points in 2018-19 were also a career-high. Vancouver's captain overaged 3:26 of power-play ice time in 2018-19, and that number should remain the same, or potentially even increase, in 2019-20. Expected to play between 20 and 21 minutes a night, Horvat carries significant fantasy value in all formats, and when you consider his age, the 24-year-old is a must-own in dynasty formats. Look for Horvat to come off draft boards somewhere in the middle rounds, so if you're planning to select him, don't wait too long.
With Henrik Sedin retired, Horvat is the de facto No. 1 center in Vancouver coming off back-to-back 20-goal seasons. He has made efforts to improve his all-round game every summer and transformed into a potential 30-goal, 60-point player, and those numbers could climb higher with Brock Boeser on his right wing. Horvat represented Canada at the World Championships and played a significant role, a testament to how far he's come and a good indicator of his ability relative to the world's best. He's indispensable to the Canucks and will likely play on both the top power play and penalty-killing units, which makes him a lock to play nearly 20 minutes a night. He gets overlooked because he isn't flashy, but he's a potential multi-category fantasy producer who's worth picking in the middle rounds
Horvat took another step forward in 2016-17, hitting the 20-goal mark and recording a career-high 52 points. The 22-year-old is emerging as a leader in Vancouver and has already become a fan favorite. Horvat has found chemistry with former Flame Sven Baertschi and his consistent production has made him Vancouver’s most dynamic fantasy option. While Horvat is clearly the present and future of the Canucks, he failed to improve on his power-play production last season and has yet to become a real threat with the man advantage. It’s possible Horvat plays alongside rising youngster Brock Boeser in 2017-18 -- a situation that could create the league’s next dynamic duo. Horvat’s heart-and-soul attitude, in addition to his lethal speed and wicked shot, make him a must-own fantasy forward.
Horvat took big steps forward in his second NHL season, notching 16 goals and 40 points in a full 82-game campaign. The 21-year-old delivered in the clutch with four game-winning tallies and found himself a spot on the power play. The youngster is the center of Vancouver’s youth moment and was one of the team’s best players towards the end of the season. The Canucks will be in tough, but Horvat managed to shine throughout a rough year for the team, so given the team’s acquisition of Loui Eriksson, a healthy Brandon Sutter and the rise of power-play quarterback Ben Hutton, Horvat should have no problem improving on last year’s totals. The center is a rising fantasy star and could be the team’s scoring leader as early as next season.
Horvat turned heads in his first NHL season, racking up 13 goals and 25 points in 68 regular-season games before adding a goal and four assists in six first-round playoff games. Despite averaging just 12:15 of ice time, Horvat still finished eighth on the team in goals and dished out a punishing 70 hits. While the 20-year-old is projected to be the Canucks’ second-line center of the future, the offseason acquisition of Brandon Sutter from Pittsburgh likely means Horvat will be centering the third line to start the 2015-16 campaign. A 30-goal scorer in the OHL, he's a promising two-way center who has tremendous offensive skill and always gives 100 percent effort. While he’s yet to be used on the power play and might be stuck in a bottom-six role for now, Horvat is likely to increase his production if he plays a full 82-game campaign in his sophomore year.
Horvat had a chance to start last season with the Canucks, but was instead sent back down to the London Knights of the OHL. While there, Horvat dominated once again, recording 30 goals and 74 points to go with a plus-20 rating in 54 games. The 19-year-old will be given every opportunity to crack the Canucks’ roster this upcoming season, and if he does, a gig on the third- or fourth-line could await. Horvat is going to be a key fantasy contributor one day, but just don’t expect major results right away. Even so, the ninth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft should help boost a Canucks’ team in need of some offensive help from the lower lines.
Horvat is the prospect that spurred the Canucks to trade away Cory Schneider on draft day. Selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2013 draft, Horvat's best attributes are his defensive play and talents in the face-off circle, but he also has the skill to be a top-six option in the very near future. The gritty youngster is expected to get a long look during camp, but he’ll likely have to beat out 2012 first-round pick Brendan Gaunce for a roster spot and possible third-line centering gig. Keeper leagues should take notice immediately, while re-draft formats may want to throw a late-round dart at Horvat if he impresses enough in camp to earn a roster spot.
