NHL Notebook: Bo Horvat Signs Extension And More

The NHL will be resuming on Monday with several teams coming off their bye weeks.

Even with the NHL on a break for All-Star Weekend, that did not stop teams from making moves. Last week as things were winding down, the first trade of deadline season was made by the New York Islanders. Though the NHL trade deadline is about a month away that did not stop the Islanders from getting in on the action. In addition to the trade, the Islanders were able to lock up the player long-term.

Also making headlines were the Washington Capitals as they extended two players they brought this past offseason. Let’s take a look into those stories and more in this edition of the NHL Notebook.

NHL Notebook: Bo Horvat Signs Extension

Horvat Extended By Islanders

The New York Islanders are making headlines prior to the resumption of the 2022-23 NHL Season. After trading for Bo Horvat last Monday, the Islanders announced an eight-year contract extension. The contract is worth $68 million with an annual average value of $8.5 million. In addition, the contract does not include any signing bonus money. Also, the first half of the contract carries a full no-trade clause. While the second half of the contract carries a 16-team no-trade clause.

The Islanders were hoping to get an extension done with Bo Horvat sooner rather than later. But with no discussion prior to the trade general manager Lou Lamoriello had to get to work quickly. However, as Lamoriello stated when asked about the length and term of the contract, he replied in typical Lamoriello fashion, “It’s too long and it’s too much money.”

Washington Capitals Extend Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano

The Washington Capitals also made headlines this week. Two potential players that could have been traded this year at the deadline are off the board. Washington had some decisions to make this year, especially at the center position. That is why they extended Dylan Strome for another five years. His contract is worth $25 million with an annual average value of $5 million. This is a good contract for a player that has bounced around from Arizona to Chicago and now Washington.

Strome was signed with Washington after he was not qualified by Chicago in the summer. This season in 52 games with the Capitals Strome has recorded 36 points (11 goals and 26 assists). With Nicklas Backstrom out because of hip surgery, the Capitals signed him to fill in until Backstrom returned. Strome has done more than just filled in at the second-line center position. With it being such a good fit, the Capitals knew the time was right before he hit the open market.

Around Full Press Hockey

NHL: Four Crucial Areas For Maple Leafs The Rest Of This Regular Season

NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils Trade Targets

NHL:  NHL All-Star Game Thoughts and Possible Changes

NFL: What Eddie Robinson Told Doug Williams After He Made History 35 Years Ago

Full Press Bets:  Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruins

Another player they signed is Sonny Milano. Milano signed a three-year extension worth $5.7 million. The contract carries an AAV of $1.9 million. Like Strome, Milano has fit in nicely in the middle six for the Capitals recording 22 points (eight goals and 14 assists) in 40 games since being called up from the AHL.

The Capitals found bargain players in free agency and they have paid off for them this year. Both contracts are very fair moving forward.

Injuries

Gustav Nyquist of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Max Pacioretty of the Carolina Hurricanes are done for the season. All three players have been placed on LTIR for the remainder of the season. There is a belief that Nyquist will still be traded at the deadline to a team looking for cap space. It will be interesting to see what Carolina and Vegas do with found money for the remainder of the season.