Bo Horvat trusted the Canucks, then Vancouver went back on its word
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Daniel Lucente
Feb 12, 2026 (5:32 PM)
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Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Bo Horvat wanted to stay with the Vancouver Canucks, but the Horvat trade still screams broken promises, and Jim Rutherford wears it.
Rick Dhaliwal said it plainly, Horvat wanted to stay. The problem was the message he got behind closed doors.
Dhaliwal’s line matters most, they told Horvat that summer, “we’re going to pick you,” then they went against it.
That is not a negotiation. That is a handshake, then a shrug.
Farhan Lalji added the knife twist, it went right to the end, then Rutherford made an emotional decision.
Dhaliwal: "Horvat wanted to stay. They told Horvat that summer we're going to pick you and then they went against it."
Farhan: "It went right to the end and then Jim (Rutherford) made an emotional decision."
Farhan: "It went right to the end and then Jim (Rutherford) made an emotional decision."
If that’s true, then the captain got played, not paid.
Horvat wasn’t some replaceable depth piece. He was producing and driving the room.
Bo Horvat and the Vancouver Canucks still feel unfinished
Canucks fans still carry a sour, quiet anger about this, because it looks like the team talked loyalty while planning the exit.
On January 30, 2023, Vancouver dealt Horvat to the New York Islanders. The return was Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty, and a protected first-round pick.
At the time, Horvat was 27, a 2013 first-round pick, ninth overall, drafted by Vancouver. He left with 31-23-54 in 49 games that season.
The Canucks can argue cap math. Fans can argue respect.
You can choose J.T. Miller. You cannot sell Horvat a story you won’t honor.
If Rutherford truly “went emotional,” then the front office let feelings override trust.
The worst part is how avoidable it felt. A straight answer in the summer changes everything.
Now every “we want you here” line hits different in Vancouver, and that is the real damage heading into the next big contract fight.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 12|152 ANSWERS Bo Horvat trusted the Canucks, then Vancouver went back on its word Did the Vancouver Canucks disrespect Bo Horvat by going against their word? | ||
| Yes | 139 | 91.4 % |
| No | 13 | 8.6 % |
| List of polls | ||