VANCOUVER — Bo Horvat says he’s not worried about going into the final year of his contract with the Vancouver Canucks or distracting from it can potentially be created. The 27-year-old forward is entering the six-year, $33 million contract he signed four days before training camp in 2017 ($5.5 million per year) ) last season. He can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. “I can’t let that bother me,” Horvath said Monday. “I can’t always hang it on my head. For me, I have to put my head down and be the best leader I can be. I’m a Vancouver Canuck now and I’m going to be a Vancouver Canuck this. All year, I’m going to do everything I can to help this team win, and that’s my main focus right now.” Horvath scored an NHL career-high 31 goals last season. Tied for fourth in the Canucks’ 70 games with 52 points. Horvath was selected by Vancouver with the ninth overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft, and in eight seasons with the Canucks, he had 366 points (170 goals, 196 assists) in 572 games. The London, Ontario native has captained the past three seasons. “Obviously my career started here, my wife and I love the city, we love the people, we love the fans and the organization, so you always think in your head, You’re going to be a Canadian for life,” Horvath said. “I hope this happens and we’ll see what happens here, but these things do take time and hopefully we can get it done as soon as possible.” Vancouver signed JT Miller , who, like Horvat, is entering the final season of his contract with a 7-September 2, $56 million contract USD (average annual value of $8 million). Miller said his side considered breaking off talks if they couldn’t come to an agreement before training camp, which begins Sept. 23, but Horvath had no plans to do so. “I just want to be a great leader, someone who shows up every day, works hard, leads by example, and does everything I can to help his team win because now I’m for the Vancouver Canucks Effectiveness, that’s how I want to be,” Horvath said. Miller, who led the Canucks with 99 points (32 goals, 67 assists) last season, said avoiding the distraction of starting a new season without a new contract makes a lot of sense, but GM Patrick Olvin doesn’t appear to be concerned that Horvath might be dealing with the same contract issues. “That’s the reality, I guess,” Alvin said on Sept. 6, “you have a year left on your contract, and for players, they’re obviously going to look at the salary cap and the team. Location, I think they are professional, but at the same time, I think they also want to feel safe.”
