Stefen Rosner caught up with Bo Horvat following Saturday's morning skate to discuss the big news out of Vancouver.

TAMPA, FL -- On Friday night, the Vancouver Canucks traded J.T. Miller, along with Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington, to the New York Rangers for Filip Chytil, Victory Mancini, and a top-13 protected 2025 first-round pick:

Everyone saw some kind of trade coming, with Miller and Elias Pettersson making it abundantly clear to management that their feud wasn't ending soon. 

The Hockey News, who had spoken with New York Islanders forward and former Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat previously about the ongoing issues between the two players, caught up with the alternate captain at Saturday's morning skate.

"I was honestly shocked. I can't believe it had to come to that, to be honest with you," Horvat said. "It's unfortunate. They had such a great year last year, making it to the second round after being first in the Pacific. It's unfortunate that they had to get broken up like that. 

"It sucks that Miller is coming to the Metro. He's a heck of a player. But, obviously, something had to be done, and they made it happen."

The Canucks had a choice to trade either player, which was not an easy choice, to say the least. But after their decision, Vancouver is going to need Pettersson to be the guy.

Horvat believes the 26-year-old certainly can be.

"I think he definitely has the potential to be where he was last year and a couple of years ago when I was there," Horvat said. "Hopefully, he gets back there and has a lot of success."

What's impacted Pettersson from being that player now?

"I think a number of things," Horvat said. "I think, definitely, all the noise behind it all. It can't be easy. You're playing in a market like that. It comes with the territory, for sure, but it can't be easy to hear about it every single day, and we're hearing about it every single day, and we're on the opposite side of the country.  

"If we're hearing about it every single day and we're sick of hearing about it, I couldn't imagine. I'm sure they couldn't stand it. So, it can't be easy, but again, now that it's all behind them, hopefully, they can just go play hockey."