Hronek agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension with the Canucks yesterday worth $58 million total and carries an average annual value of $7.25 million. While there's no protection in year one, the deal includes a full no-movement clause in years two through four, followed by a modified no-trade clause in years five through eight.
Not long after the deal was made official by the team, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin addressed the media and told reporters that Hronek wanted to remain with the organization and be apart of this group on a long-term basis.
Hronek, a native of Hradec Kralove, Czechia set new career highs in assists and points this season, but wasn't as strong in the second half and production-wise, wasn't great in the Stanley Cup Playoffs either, putting up just two points in 13 games. In 81 games during the regular season, Hronek had 48 points (five goals, 43 assists), 38 penalty minutes and was a plus-33.
With Hronek now locked up and free agency approaching in less than two weeks, the Canucks have a few defencemen who ate up key minutes during the 2023-24 campaign that could become UFAs at Noon ET on July 1st. Those being Nikita Zadorov, Ian Cole and Tyler Myers. During his media availability, Allvin was asked by Patrick Johnston if he sees himself going out onto the open market on Canada Day to pursue a right-shot defenceman.
"I don't know," Allvin said. "I guess we're about two weeks away, so it depends where the discussions go with our current group and then we have to regroup and see what's available. But I believe that we have Noah Juulsen, who 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 and I hope is going to have a good summer and come in here and push for a roster spot as well."
He added, "So we're talking internally here and talking to Rick Tocchet and his coaching staff as well, so we're looking at all options. But as I said, it appears that we're not going to be able to re-sign all of our UFAs at this point."
