Hronek extension offers Maple Leafs some insight into the market for defensemen
Yesterday's massive contract extension announcement between the Vancouver Canucks and defenseman Filip Hronek has officially set the market for defensemen.
The Toronto Maple Leafs remain focused on re-vamping their blueline this summer and with several marquee defenseman available on the open market in free agency in 2 weeks time, everyone was waiting to see who might be responsible for setting the market. Obviously, the Hronek deal has done just that.
The Canucks blueliner is locked in for 8 years at $7.25M per season after a breakout year that saw him produce 5 goals and 48 points in 81 games in Vancouver.
The contract details for Hronek break down as follows, and there is a full no-movement clause for the first 3 years of the deal.
With Hronek having outproduced names like Brett Pesce, Chris Tanev, Brandon Montour and Nikita Zadorov by a healthy margin, it would be shocking to see any of these defensemen eclipse the $7M AAV threshold on their next deal, which should make at least one of them affordable for the Maple Leafs.
Brady Skjei, who produced at a similar rate to Hronek this season, is likely to cash in and may not be an option for the Leafs at that price.
Source: Hockey DBFilip Hronek Stats and Bio
| POLL | ||
19 JUIN | 361 ANSWERS Hronek extension offers Maple Leafs some insight into the market for defensemen Do you think any of the UFA defensemen will sign a deal larger than Filip Hronek's $7.25M AAV? | ||
| Yes | 174 | 48.2 % |
| No | 187 | 51.8 % |
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