As the Vancouver Canucks were rumored to want to take one more shot at signing forward Bo Horvat to a contract extension, the team’s President of Hockey Operations noted in a press conference with media on Monday, the team did their best to sign him, but it doesn’t look like the two sides will be coming to any sort of agreement.

Even though there is a ton of talk surrounding the organization — investigations in Tanner Pearson’s injury and head coaching changes — contract negotiations with Horvat have been at the forefront of Canucks headlines throughout the season. Rutherford and the management team chose to ink a huge deal with J.T. Miller and that has left little room to give Horvat what he wants and feels he’s earned on an extension.

He said as he spoke to the media, “I believe we’ve taken our best shot. The contract we have on the table for Bo right now is fair value for what he’s done up to this year.” He added, “It’s certainly under market value for what he’s done this year so we’re in a pickle here. He’s had a career year, and he’s looking for his money. He deserves it. I don’t blame him.”

Horvat, 27, has posted 30 goals and 48 points across 43 games this season. He’s having an incredible year and there will be plenty of teams trying to acquire him ahead of the March 3 NHL Trade Deadline. It appears the Canucks will now try to land the best deal possible.

Rutherford insisted on a re-tool rather than a rebuild is on the docket for the club and noted that moving Horvat will help them quickly accomplish many of the goals the team has this season and summer.

Are the Edmonton Oilers Getting in in Horvat Talks?

Jeff Marek noted on the 32 Thoughts Podcast on Monday that the Edmonton Oilers might now be one of the team’s stepping up to get in on Horvat talks. He said, that a source told him Horvat could make sense long-term in Edmonton. He explained, “One, he is an excellent player. Two, he’d be amenable to going there. Three, who knows about the future of their two big dogs, specifically Leon Draisaitl who is a couple of years away from unrestricted free agency.”

It’s not at all clear how the Oilers would make this work for salary cap reasons. They are already going to struggle to try to get Evander Kane back into the lineup on Tuesday as the forward returns from injury and the team needs to bring his $5.125 million salary off of LTIR.

Next: Insider Says Horvat-To-Oilers A Fit With Draisaitl Future in Question