Captain Horvat? Perhaps not yet
Organization could protect centre from having to answer for rebuilding season
Sam Gagner has played for six NHL captains on five teams.
The well-travelled Vancouver Canucks forward understands better than most what is at play to supplant the retired Henrik Sedin as the voice of reason on the ice and in the room.
Gagner knows Bo Horvat is a popular choice because the amiable and accountable 23-year-old centre has not only steadily improved as a first-line centre, he was also groomed by the Sedins.
He also accompanied the twins in promotional and charity commitments to understand the total buy-in it takes to be the face of the franchise.
And, most importantly, Horvat wants the captaincy.
“You want to see that out of Bo — it’s a sign of a leader to want the responsibility and the more mature you can be going into it, the better it is,” Gagner said Thursday at the inaugural All Heart Pre-season Pro Camp in Delta, where more than 30 pros donated camp proceeds to the Craig Cunningham All Heart Foundation for cardiac arrest research.
“Bo does a lot of things that leaders do — he plays in different situations and takes important faceoffs. A lot of times, it (captaincy) comes from the organizational standpoint and who they want to see grow into that role. There are different ways to go about it.”
The Canucks could shield their budding leader from rationalizing repeated losing during a roster rebuild and management has hinted of three revolving alternates to ease the leadership transition.
Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Brandon Sutter and Michael De Zotto donned the “A” last season and newcomer Jay Beagle might work into that mix. It could be more prudent than plopping Horvat into the pressure cooker of a hockey-mad market. In that sense, he may get an “A” instead of the “C.”
“In terms of the leadership group, it’s something that people on the outside tend to think of a little bit more,” Gagner added. “In the room, we understand who guys lean on. That sorts itself out and something we don’t worry about much. We added guys (in free agency) and it’s important to bring other people into the fight.
“That makes its way through your team and (helps you) be a more competitive group. That’s how you build a culture.”
Horvat wasn’t named an alternate last season after signing his six-year, US$33 million extension on Sept. 8 because the club didn’t want to add yet another level of accountability.
However, that’s what Horvat is about. Waiting another year to appoint the captaincy doesn’t pay homage to everything he has gleaned from the Sedins and is eager to demonstrate.
Horvat’s relentless drive and willingness to improve every facet of his game has always been a calling card. Missing 18 games last season with an ankle fracture and still scoring 22 goals in 64 outings — he was on pace for 28 goals in a full season — sent an even stronger message.
“I’ve been here long enough that I’ve seen what it takes to be a leader and how Hank and Danny have done it for many years and I’m ready to make that next step,” Horvat said as the season wound down.
“You still need the veteran presence in the room and we’ve got that, but I have progressed on and off the ice and in the community and locker-room in being able to speak up more, where I haven’t in past years.”