THN.com/podcast. From THN On The 'A': Connor Carrick Part 2, Galchenyuk and Raty Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1NjAwMjM3NzMyMDQ2MjIx/usatsi_19827224.jpg] The Vancouver Canucks shipping Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders was a significant move by both teams. The clubs could also pursue separate deals leading up to the March 3 trade deadline. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/32-thoughts-canucks-islanders-make-interesting-gambles-in-horvat-trade/] wondered how things might play out for Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko when he returns from a lower-body injury following the all-star break. He felt the 27-year-old's contract could make him attractive to clubs such as the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins. CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/players/thatcher-demko] indicates Demko is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $5 million and lacks no-trade protection. TSN's Darren Dreger [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-horvat-open-to-talks-with-isles-boeser-interest-hinges-on-salary-retention-1.1913583] reported Canucks sources were “a little surprised” about their starting goalie becoming fodder for trade conjecture. Despite rumors linking Vancouver winger Brock Boeser to the Minnesota Wild, Friedman believes the math doesn't make sense right now. Dreger indicated the 25-year-old winger is drawing a lot of interest, but those clubs want to know if the Canucks will retain part of his $6.65-million cap hit, per CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/players/brock-boeser]. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Kevin Kurz [https://theathletic.com/4140721/2023/01/30/bo-horvat-trade-islanders-playoff-picture/] said the Islanders still have work to do if they wish to become a Stanley Cup contender this season. With CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/islanders] showing them carrying over $11 million in deadline cap space, he felt they can afford to add a forward who goes to the front of the net. NYI Hockey Now's Stefen Rosner [https://nyihockeynow.com/new-york-islanders-bo-horvat-lamoriello-tarasenko-meier-defenseman-playoffs-sell/] wondered if the Isles would pursue a scoring winger, such as the St. Louis Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko or the San Jose Sharks' Timo Meier. However, Kurz [https://theathletic.com/4143275/2023/01/31/islanders-bo-horvat-trade-questions/] suggested a more affordable option, such as the Blues' Ivan Barbashev. He also proposed the Arizona Coyotes' Shayne Gostisbehere if they wished to add a puck-moving defenseman.
