Horvat Heater Can Stay Just The Right Temperature In Milan
Islanders fans have reason to worry about Bo Horvat in Milan. Here’s why his Olympic trip could actually benefit Horvat and the team.
When New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat was named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster on Dec. 31, there was so much concern amongst the fan base.
Horvat had just missed five games with a lower-body injury, and the Islanders certainly were a different team, a weaker team, when No. 14 was out of the lineup.
With the Islanders already losing forward Kyle Palmieri until 2026-2027 due to a torn ACL, and defenseman Alexander Romanov until at least the mid-rounds of the playoffs, they certainly could not afford to lose Horvat to an injury at the Olympics.
In the Islanders’ first game of 2026, Horvat sustained another lower-body injury — the injury was in the same area as the previous one, but doctors said the injury would have occurred regardless. This time, Horvat missed nine games, with the Islanders going 5-3-1, relying heavily on defense and goaltending to acquire points.
Horvat struggled in his first few games back in the lineup, with more concern about his upcoming trip to Milan.
Because of two moments in Islanders’ history, fans are always nervous to see players take part in non-Islanders game events.
In 2008, franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro sustained a hip injury at the All-Star Game Skills Competition in Atlanta. While DiPietro played through the injury, it led to surgeries and more injuries that derailed a once-promising career.
In 2014, Islanders’ captain John Tavares sustained tears to his MCL and meniscus at the Winter Olympics in Sochi during Team Canada’s quarter-final game against Latvia. Tavares, whose 66 points (24 goals, 42 assists) in 59 games sat third most in the NHL at that point in time, ended up missing the remainder of the 2013-14 season.
The Islanders, who had stumbled into the Olympic break, which decimated their playoff chances, finished the regular season in last place in the Metropolitan Division.
With the Islanders having entered the Milan Olympic break sitting in third place in the Metro, the concern surrounding Horvat’s season is justified.
However, I’ll tell you why Horvat playing in the Olympics is a positive, even if there’s risk involved.