When the Canucks surprisingly decided to keep Roberto Luongo and trade Cory Schneider, they obtained the 9th overall pick of the 2013 draft. For a goaltender of Schneider’s caliber, it seemed as though the return should have been significantly higher. Then GM Mike Gillis all but confirmed that he had received a stronger offer from the division rival Edmonton Oilers. Gillis turned the deal down saying that he simply could not fathom having to play multiple division games against Schneider for the next decade and a half.

The Canucks had a choice to make with pick 9. They could pick enigmatic but supremely talented Russian Valeri Nichushkin, who was drawing comparisons to Evgeni Malkin for his combination of size, speed, and strength – the type of player that could change the dynamic of a game with one rush. Or they could pick the soft-spoken two-way Canadian centreman, Bo Horvat, who excelled at both ends of the ice. His offensive numbers didn’t blow anybody away, but he was a proven winner and someone who played for the team and not for himself.

In hindsight, the Canucks seem to have made the right decision. It would surprise no one if Nichushkin ended up being one of the top ten best players in the NHL someday. It would also surprise no one if Horvat was named team captain when Henrik Sedin retires and if he won multiple Selke Trophies over the next decade. Bo Horvat is exactly the type of player the Canucks needed at exactly the right time. Continue reading