As the Vancouver Canucks embark on their rebuild, one major thing to consider is the overall trajectory of the team. The short-term goals are important, such as what happens at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. However, the question of how far the Sedins, Ryan Johnson, and head coach Manny Malhotra are looking ahead could shape what happens to the current Canucks’ top defenceman, Filip Hronek.
3 Scenarios For the Future of Canucks’ Top Defenceman, Filip Hronek
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There is no doubt that Hronek is a hot commodity right now, with right-shot defencemen being highly valued. Should the Canucks be open to exploring their options with their top defenceman, they could listen to teams lining up for his services. It really depends on a few things. One, do the Canucks want to move up in this year’s NHL Draft? Two, does Hronek fit the timeline of the rebuild? Three, how important is Hronek to the development of the team’s young defencemen?
The Case of Trading For The Second Overall Pick
This first scenario is one that could materialize in a matter of a couple of weeks, as the 2026 NHL Draft is just around the corner. The San Jose Sharks own the second-overall pick in the draft. While there are a variety of paths the team could take if they wanted to trade for pick number two, trading Hronek is one option. The Sharks are in desperate need of capable defenders to teach their young defensive core, so Hronek would fit the bill perfectly. The Canucks could package Hronek with their 24th-overall pick, package him with a goalie like Thatcher Demko, or package him with their two second-round picks. Would that be enough for the Sharks?
This draft is supposedly a pretty strong one, beyond the likes of Gavin McKenna. With the second-overall pick, the Canucks could guarantee themselves Ivar Stenberg or any other player they have their radar on. Following that pick, they could draft head coach Manny Malhotra’s son, Caleb Malhotra, who seems like the most likely player they would draft at third overall originally, should Stenberg not be available. More on that another time, perhaps.
A Trade Further Down the Line, Depending on the Rebuild Timeline
Hronek is not that young a player, as he turns 29 in November. One question the management needs to consider is, by the time the rebuild ends, how effective would Hronek still be? That depends on how long they think the rebuild will take. It is notable to consider that the Canucks already have important pieces for the rebuild, which are a potential top-calibre defenceman in Zeev Buium, two other young defencemen, a number of young forwards, and a goalie of the future. Are they in as bad a spot as some might say? Heck, they might not even be that bad next season, if things go their way in a middling Pacific Division.
Say the rebuild takes around five years. Hronek would be about 33 to 34 at that time. At that point, he would have one year left on his current contract, which has six years remaining. It could be in the Canucks’ best interest to trade him in a couple of years, when he is in his early 30s, where his value would still be extremely high due to his palatable salary cap hit of $7.25 million. Of course, that depends on the progress that the young defensive core has made. If they are ready for the next step, it is almost certain that one or more of the veteran defencemen, the other being Marcus Pettersson, would be out the door.
The Captaincy Scenario
The last scenario involves Hronek staying for the full length of his contract at least, likely taking on a leadership role in the organization. There is still the discussion to be had about who would be the next captain. We know that Ryan Johnson is waiting for a potential captain to emerge, rather than rushing a decision, as said in a press conference. Hronek would likely be at least an assistant captain, but given his attitude with the media, being captain may not be something he would be fond of, in that sense.
More Canucks analysis to come as the offseason continues.
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