Hronek extension offers Maple Leafs some insight into 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 DB
Filip Hronek Stats and Bio