The Detroit Red Wings got another key re-signing on the books, inking defenseman Filip Hronek to a three-year deal Friday afternoon. The multi-year deal continues a trend for general manager Steve Yzerman who has kept players on term that aren’t in the mold of the previous contracts that saw players handed deals with longer durations. The key exception is Anthony Mantha, who signed a four-year deal, and then was shipped to Washington in April.
Hronek has been a main piece of the defensive corps and logged heavy minutes last season. He led the team in points (2-24-26) which featured two empty net goals, one that stretched nearly the entire length of the ice. With Moritz Seider expected to arrive this season a heavier and more skilled group that includes Nick Leddy, Hronek may finally get some relief from having to carry a Red Wings blue line that though better, needed a talent boost.
Hronek’s signing now means that Yzerman has just restricted free agent Givani Smith left to sign, which should easily get wrapped up prior to training camp starting.
Term shows a vote of confidence from Yzerman
Yzerman has held on but a few pieces from the Holland regime, and the three-year deal for Hronek keeps the young defenseman in the fold and presumably counted on as another building block for the team.
Though it’s only three years, it stays in line with what Yzerman has done consistently and that’s keeping term reasonable along with price. The Red Wings stand to enjoy financial freedom for seasons to come with the strategy as Detroit waits on its young talent to develop and join the big club. As it is, Seider should be a mainstay this season while Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren could arrive at some point, too.
One interesting thing to keep an eye on is how Hronek will be deployed on the power play. With Leddy an obvious choice as the first unit quarterback, will Hronek go to the second unit to bolster it or possibly remain with the top line to provide it another option. Though Hronek had a tendency to fire into crowds or at times, stay closer to the blue line instead of creeping in for better scoring chances, new assistant coach Alex Tanguay may have other things in mind.
Perhaps Hronek will get a stronger opportunity to add to his scoring total in a more creative fashion? Will he continue to solidify the defensive corps into one of the best in the league as time rolls on?
There will be at least three years to find out.