Insider: Filip Hronek Contract Negotiations "Could Cause Problems" For Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have a number of free agents to deal with this coming summer, but none more important than top-pairing defenseman Filip Hronek. He'll be a restricted free agent, but it's unlikely the Canucks will want to go into next season without having him inked to an extension. He's due for a large raise from his expiring $4.4 million AAV.
Elliotte Friedman on Filip Hronek contract talks : I think there is a deal to be made, the sweet spot could be in the 7.5 million range, if he is dead set above that, it could cause problems.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) March 18, 2024
Complete Friedman interview @DonnieandDhali and You Tube.
"I think that there is a deal to be made here," said Friedman on the Donnie & Dhali show. "I look at it this way: The sweet spot on the maximum is probably in the $7.5 million range. If Hronek is dead-set above that, I can see it being a real problem."
The Canucks spent most of the season wrangling with the Elias Pettersson contract situation. He was also set to be an RFA, and he had stated for months that he was in no rush, and wanted to see how the season played out. But ultimately, they got a deal done just before the trade deadline this month, signing him to a massive eight-year, $92.8 million with an average annual value of $11.6 million.
"To me, if you can get the deal done with Pettersson, then you can get a deal done with just about anybody," said Friedman. "If (Hronek) wants to be a Canuck, there is a deal to be made."
The 26-year-old blueliner came to Vancouver a year ago at the trade deadline from the Detroit Red Wings. Hronek has a career-high 40 assists and 45 points along with a brilliant plus-minus rating of +32 in 68 games. There was a report last week that the Canucks have already made him an extension offer.
Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
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