Filip Hronek's arbitration case complicates Canucks' contract negotiations

The Vancouver Canucks' most important free agent heading into the 2024 offseason is Filip Hronek. In a vacuum, of course they should: Hronek is a vital component of the Canucks' core, a right-shot defenceman who can play 23+ minutes per night, and has proven chemistry with Quinn Hughes. Finding a right-shot defenceman who can play top-pairing minutes without drafting and developing them yourself is a major challenge for any NHL team. The Canucks made Hronek a contract offer during the season with reports that it was in the vicinity of $6.5-6.75 million per year on an eight-year deal.