The Vancouver Canucks were dealt a devastating blow Wednesday night. Star defenseman Filip Hronek left the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after a heavy hit into the boards and it appears he’ll be sidelined for a significant amount of time.
While the team is calling it an upper-body injury, sources indicate the damage is NOT serious enough to require surgery. This is a crushing development for a Canucks team that was finally starting to find its footing in the Pacific Division.
Vancouver Canucks Face Uncertain Future Without Filip Hronek
Hronek was in obvious pain after the hit, clutching his right shoulder as he left the ice. This has to be particularly concerning given that Hronek’s 2023 season was cut short by a shoulder injury just four games after being acquired by Vancouver at the NHL trade deadline.
It remains to be seen if this injury is related to the previous one, but either way, it’s a major setback for the 27-year-old blueliner. Hronek had emerged as a true leader on the Canucks’ blue line and a key piece of their future after signing an 8-year, $58 million contract this past summer.
This injury leaves a gaping hole on the Canucks’ blue line. Hronek was averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per game and playing in all situations. He was a driving force on the back-end and a reliable shutdown defender against the opposition’s top lines.
The Canucks will need to explore all options to fill the void left by Hronek’s absence. Could this mean a trade is on the horizon? GM Patrik Allvin will surely be working the phones to see what’s available. Internally, the Canucks will need players to step up and take on bigger roles.
This is a tough break for both Hronek and the Canucks. Hopefully, Hronek can make a full recovery. But in the meantime, the Canucks will need to find a way to weather the storm without their defenseman.
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