The expense of re-signing defenseman Filip Hronek a year later was one of the factors that led the Detroit Red Wings to abruptly move him right before the 2023 trade deadline.
On Tuesday, Hronek inked an eight-year, $58 million contract deal with the Vancouver Canucks, giving them a glimpse of what might have been involved. In comparison to the three-year, $13.2 million contract he signed with the Red Wings in 2021 ($4.4 million AAV), it has an average annual value of $7.25 million, a substantial increase.
Late in the 2018 season, the Red Wings dealt Hronek to the Canucks in exchange for 2023 first- and second-round selections.
Slick defenceman Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17th overall) was selected with their first-round pick, while defenseman Brady Cleveland was selected with their second-round pick when they traded down four positions. The fifth-round pick they obtained in the trade was selected by them for left wing Kevin Bicker.
Hronek, 26, was Detroit’s third selection in the 2016 second round, coming in at 53rd overall.
He racked up a career-high 48 points (five goals, 43 assists) and was plus-33 in 81 games this season, mostly paired with Quinn Hughes, the likely Norris Trophy winner.
Hronek could have become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement, “Even though we had his rights for another year, I think this was important for our team knowing his contract number leading forward and also a younger defenseman on the right side that we feel that we can continue to work with.” “We were really happy to get it over the finish line here, and when Filip expressed his interest in wanting to stay in Vancouver and be a part of this group for the long term, we definitely felt that there was more to come.”
“I think he has another level to reach, and I think he can reach that level and find his consistency more,” Alvin continued. He skates well, and I believe he is a highly competitive player. He is a guy who fits in nicely in our dressing room and moves the puck well.
