Insider Predicts Filip Hronek Extension Price

The Vancouver Canucks have already taken care of one huge extension this season signing Elias Pettersson to a massive eight-year deal. But the heavy lifting isn't done yet for the front office, as first-pairing star defenceman Filip Hronek is set to become a restricted free agent, and he, too, is due for a huge raise.

The 26-year-old blueliner is coming off a $4.4 million cap hit, but according to Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, speaking today on the Sekeres & Price podcast, the recent Noah Hanifin contract has set the market for Hronek's next deal, which should far surpass the Vegas Golden Knights' newest rearguard.

The number starts with an '8' (i.e. $8M AAV). It may not be in Vancouver, but the number is starting with an '8'.

Noting that Hanifin's deal was for $7.35 million annually in a tax-free environment (Nevada), the comparable for Hronek in Vancouver would be well over $8 million.

Hronek will have arbitration rights this summer in addition to his RFA status. Seravalli has also noted recently that in arbitration, the Canucks' d-man would probably command $7.5M-$8M, so "why would he sign long-term for less than 8?"

Add Hronek's right-shot status on the blueline, and it all easily adds up to over $8 million AAV. Will the Canucks be ready to meet that? Top d-man Quinn Hughes is already signed to a $7.85M AAV that runs three more season, so it's certainly no foregone conclusion that they'll be ready to give Hronek a bigger number.

Hronek has posted a career-high 43 assists with 48 points in 80 games for the Canucks this season, with a plus/minus mark of +33 which places him in the Top 10 in the NHL in that category, while logging 23 1/2 minutes of ice time per night.