Bo Horvat may still be new to Long Island, but he and the fan base have built a strong bond as the New York Islanders continue their push to the playoffs.
The New York Islanders fan base has patiently been waiting for top players to not only join the franchise but commit long-term.
And in one season, two players have put pen to paper on eight-year extensions. One was the organization's 16th overall pick in 2015, Mathew Barzal, who credited the fans as a significant reason why he signed long-term.
"Well, first thing, I absolutely love the fans here," Mat Barzal said back in October. "Genuinely, they're seriously so unique. They're one of a kind. It's like everyone is just such a diehard Islander fan.
"I love it, and we feel the support, and I've felt the support the last six years, and I think if it was different, maybe my mindset would have been different through the negotiations. But seriously, like they've given me so much love and support, and that played a huge part in it."
A tad under four months later, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello acquired forward Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks.
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Traded on Jan. 30, Horvart took part in what is likely the weirdest All-Star situation he or any NHL has or will ever be a part of as he represented the Western Conference while rocking an Islanders shoulder logo.
While in South Beach, Horvat felt the love from his new fan base.
“It’s really heartwarming. To see fans actually have my jersey on already, and it’s been not even, what, four or five days?” Horvat said. “It’s pretty crazy. It’s humbling, and I’m just really fortunate that I’m going to an organization, team [that has] a passionate fan base again like that."
Before Horvat could even get on the ice with his teammates, he agreed to an eight-year extension.
The New York Islanders were not in a playoff spot and needed some heavy-duty offensive production.
Although he did not score in his Islanders debut, on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers, he lit the lamp during his home debut a day later in a 4-0 win over the Seattle Kraken.
After scoring the goal, the Islanders crowd entered a frenzy, with "HOR-VAT" chants reigning for what seemed like an eternity.
When asked what those chants meant to him following the game, all Horvat could do was smile.
"It was pretty amazing," Horvat said. "I haven't had a chant like that in a building that loud, I don't think ever, so that was pretty amazing."
Sure, it was a shot at the Vancouver Canucks organization, a team he spent over eight seasons with, serving as their captain for the last three.
But it was more of an appreciation to the Islanders fans, who welcomed him in with open arms before seeing him even play one shift in the blue and orange.
Then again, he did sign an extension before getting a feel for the fan base, so both sides took a leap of faith.
And yes, there's a portion of the fan base who have not been satisfied with Horvat's play since Barzal went down with a long-term injury.
He has just seven goals in 28 games, as he's struggled to bury at the same rate he did with the Canucks.
But most of the fan base understands the role he's played and how integral he has been in the Islanders finding more consistency to their game in the second half.
And now the offense is coming in crunch time, as he's notched a goal and three assists over the Islanders' last two games, two pivotal wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena.
The crowd, which was electric on Thursday against Tampa, carried over their momentum Saturday night against Philadelphia.
After his two assists earned him second-star accolades, Horvat joined MSGSN's Shannon Hogan on the Islanders bench for a postgame interview in front of the Islanders' faithful.
He was asked about the crowd during this playoff push and delivered a quote for the ages.
"It's been unbelievable. A lot better than Vancouver, I'll tell you that for free," Horvat said before smirking and walking off the bench.
Was it another cheap shot at the Canucks, or was it more him, in the moment, speaking his mind after an emotional win?
Who knows.
The Canucks missed the playoffs six of Horvat's first eight seasons entering the 2022-23 campaign. And even with Horvat amid a career year, the Canucks were on the path to missing for a third straight season.
Vancouver was officially eliminated from playoff contention on Apr. 2 after another failed season.
Horvat's departure from B.C. after eight and a half seasons, three-plus as the captain, was not what one would call smooth.
Entering the final year of his contract, the Canucks let it be known that Horvat wasn't as much of a top priority as maybe he thought he should have been.
And as they say, the rest is history.
While Canucks fans weren't happy with Horvat's words Saturday, most of the Islanders fan base surely was.
It wasn't just what he said, but it had a lot to do with the past players coming through New York and leaving as quickly as they came or missing out on top players one off-season after another.
"More than anything, I'm just happy that he's happy to be here. It's nice to see players excited to play where they do," Twitter user @dammatteasy shared.
"It's amazing. He helped us get through these hard times without Barzal, gives us someone we can look forward to watching for the next five-plus years, and we know he is excited to be here along with us," @Klustoo said.
"Happy that he's happy with Islanders, love that he appreciates Isles fans and the environment," @wahIstrom said. "Also love that he brought personality too."
"I loved it! Great way to fire the fans up. It's also really nice to have a big-name player not only choose us long-term but give us some love at a time when all our nerves are shot," @wolfpak999 said.
All that matters for Bo Horvat and the New York Islanders fan base is making the postseason, with their next game against the Washington Capitals Monday night in D.C.
The Islanders will be on the ice for morning skate.