The Vancouver Canucks have solidified their top defensive pairing by signing defenceman Filip Hronek to an eight-year, $58 million contract. Announced on Tuesday afternoon, the deal ensures the Czech blueliner’s place in the team’s future. Hronek, known for his right shot and seamless integration into the Canucks' defense corps, has impressed with his skating, passing, shooting, and defensive capabilities.
The way he skates, passes and shoots the puck, along with his defensive abilities, are perfect for a top-pairing defenceman," GM Patrik Allvin stated during a Zoom press conference.
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Hronek’s agent, Allan Walsh, expressed his client's enthusiasm on X, highlighting Hronek’s affection for the team, his teammates, and the city:
"He loved the team, the guys and the city so much, he decided to stay awhile."
While securing Hronek’s future is a significant move, Allvin acknowledged the financial implications for the rest of the roster.
“It definitely appears to us here that we’re not going to be able to sign all of them,” Allvin admitted.
referring to the unrestricted free agents who may not return next season.
Despite this, Allvin expressed confidence in the long-term decision to keep Hronek, citing the value of finding a right-shot defenceman of Hronek’s caliber at his age.
"We as an organization needed to look at your projected roster moving forward here but we felt comfortable with (the) age where Filip is and where we believe his game could go at. And also finding a right shot defenceman at that age and at his quality, made us feel comfortable going into an eighth year," Allvin explained.
Hronek’s new deal, with an average annual value of $7.25 million, avoids the restricted free agency and potential arbitration where he was expected to receive a significant raise. His performance this season, with 48 points in 81 games, underscores the value he brings to the Vancouver Canucks, making this extension a strategic win for the team.
Vancouver Canucks GM weighs options for right-shot defenseman
Following the eight-year, $58 million extension of Filip Hronek, the Vancouver Canucks GM addressed the potential need for another right-shot defenceman. While Hronek's extension secures a top-pairing player, Allvin was non-committal about pursuing another big name for the right side, which could be necessary if Hronek is to lead his pairing.
“We have Noah Juulsen that is capable of playing in the top six, we have Cole McWard knocking on the door, who had a really strong second half in Abbotsford, that I hope is going to have a good summer and come in here and push for a roster spot as well,” Allvin noted, stressing on the team's internal options.
Addition͏ally, Tyler M͏yers, ano͏ther ri͏ght-shot defence͏man͏, is s͏et to bec͏ome͏ a free agent this su͏mmer. It's widely expected that the Vancouver Canucks will work to re-sign the veteran bluelin͏er, providing further ͏stability on the right͏ side of their defense.
