Canucks ink Horvat to 6-year extension worth $33M

The Vancouver Canucks have signed 22-year-old center Bo Horvat to a six-year contract extension worth $33 million, the team announced Friday.

"Bo has quickly become a foundational player on our team and we're thrilled for him to be a part of what we're building here long term," general manager Jim Benning said. "His commitment and work ethic have helped his game improve each season. He's already a leader on our team and a young player fans can be excited to watch for years to come."

As a restricted free agent, Horvat's $5.5-million annual cap hit will kick in immediately, making him the fourth-highest paid player on Vancouver's roster, trailing only the Sedin twins and Loui Eriksson.

Horvat built a strong case to sign a long-term deal coming off his entry-level contract, as he netted a career-high 52 points in 81 games in 2016-17 - good enough to lead the Canucks.

The Canucks identified Horvat as the centerpiece of their future at the 2013 draft, selecting him ninth overall on a pick acquired in exchange for goaltender Cory Schneider. Now, as one of the few bright spots in the rebuilding organization, Horvat will be the go-to guy as Vancouver navigates its transition back into relevancy.