LATEST | Hughes has high praise for new defensive pairing Filip Hronek

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Cooper Godin
October 11, 2023 (1:12 PM)

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As Quinn Hughes embarks on his first season as captain of the Vancouver Canucks, he'll have a new defensive partner, that being Filip Hronek, who the team acquired from the Detroit Red Wings ahead of the deadline last year.

One of the Canucks' priorities was to find a defensive partner for Quinn Hughes and while Carson Soucy may end up being with the team's captain once he returns from injury, Hronek is tasked with playing top pairing minutes as Vancouver opens their season on Wednesday.

When speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Quinn Hughes had some high praise for Filip Hronek, saying that he doesn't think he's played with someone as good as the 25-year-old.

"(I) probably haven't played with a player as good as him. He's really skilled, can move the puck, can see things, can defend, can skate... they wanted to maybe split us up but I'm happy we're together"

While Hughes' partner to start the season is Filip Hronek, it'll likely change as the year goes on with a couple others getting an opportunity at playing on the top pair, as mentioned already Carson Soucy, and potentially even Ian Cole.

Canucks fans are set to get their first look at not only the Hughes-Hronek pairing, but several of their new signings and acquisitions including Teddy Blueger, Pius Suter, Ian Cole and as the backup, Casey DeSmith, on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena as Vancouver takes on the Edmonton Oilers. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and can be viewed nationally on Sportsnet.