Although Bo Horvat may not be reaching any significant New York Islanders' milestones in his first full season with the club, what career milestones are on the horizon for the 28-year-old?
If there's any player in the New York Islanders locker room feeling the pressure heading into the 2023-24 season, it's top-line centerman Bo Horvat.
The former Vancouver Canucks captain agreed to an eight-year extension worth $8.5 million annually before stepping on the Islanders practice ice after being acquired during the All-Star break.
After 31 goals in 48 games with the Canucks to kick off his 2022-23 season, the Islanders were hoping that his hot stick would remain hot on the island.
But a combination of Mat Barzal's long-term injury, the mental toll of moving across the continent, and a lack of pucks in the back of the net -- with just seven goals in 30 games -- left much to be desired.
READ MORE: Islanders Bo Horvat Opens Up About The Mental Toll Trade Took On Him
A new season brings about a new opportunity, as alongside a healthy Barzal, the expectations for Horvat are rather high.
Let's check out his upcoming milestones.
Starting with his career marks, Horvat sits 49 games away from 700 for his career. The 28-year-old played in 79 games this past season, suiting up for 70 in 2021-22.
After a career-best 70-point season, Horvat has the potential to reach the 500-point mark, sitting 64 shy.
If he does reach that milestone this year, that means things went right in his first full season on the island.
Horvat would have to pot, at a minimum, 30 goals for a third straight campaign and rack up over 30 assists, which means Barzal, another linemate, and even the power play has success.
Face-offs are a vital piece of Horvat's puzzle, as he has won 54 percent of his draws over his nine-year career. With 7,044 face-off wins, Horvat could reach 8,000 this season, as he is 956 away.
Horvat won 958 draws last season.
Defensively, Horvat is 63 blocks away from 500 and 28 hits away from 600. He recorded 55 blocks and 57 hits in 2022-23.
Horvat's Islanders career only spans 30 games, so there aren't any significant Islanders' milestones upcoming.
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