Canucks sign Hronek to 8-year deal with $7.25M AAV

The Vancouver Canucks inked defenseman Filip Hronek to an eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of $7.25 million, the club announced Tuesday.

Hronek was a pending restricted free agent.

The 26-year-old Czech blue-liner posted career highs in assists (43), points (48), blocked shots (87), and games played (81) while averaging 23:26 of ice time in his first full season with the Canucks. He skated alongside Quinn Hughes on Vancouver's top pairing while playing on the team's second power-play unit and second penalty-killing group.

Hronek also dished out 104 hits this season, falling one short of the career best he established in 2019-20, his second NHL campaign.

Filip Hronek, signed 8x$7.25M by VAN, is a two-way D who plays effectively on both special teams. Found success and production on the top pairing this year, which the model attributes mostly to a combination of Hughes and on-ice shooting %. Some consistency issues. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/3XIvmEvolp

- JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 18, 2024

On March 1, 2023, the Detroit Red Wings traded Hronek to the Canucks along with a fourth-round pick in that year's draft for a first- and second-rounder. The Red Wings used the first-round selection (17th overall) on rearguard Axel Sandin Pellikka.

Hronek played four full seasons and 60 games of his fifth with Detroit before the trade. He suited up for only four contests with the Canucks in 2022-23 due to a shoulder injury he sustained in his final game with the Red Wings.

Detroit drafted him 53rd overall in 2016.

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