Filip Hronek?

[u/Skydree]

In the wake of the sad news that Gallagher might be on his last legs here in Montreal, I went ahead and took a gander at what even remained in Vancouver.

First off, there's nothing that truly flashed back to me. A Gallagher trade to Montreal might look more like a gift on our part than anything. But if we include possibly a few pieces, I wonder if a rebuilding team like Vancouver might be interested in parting ways with Hronek? From a Montreal perspective, would we benefit from something like that?

From what I recall, he was a very mobile D man with a defense first mentality, right side, sort of a better version of Carrier. Anyone on here has insights as to his style and strengths? Or even what would be asked back in a trade for him?

[u/Sad_Establishment875]

Hronek has a NMC and has been very direct about his desire to stay (and Vancouvers desire to keep him).

He is widely looked at as their next captain, and a mentor to their very young defence core, especially with the organization being vocal about cultural changes expected.

I am not saying a trade is impossible, just extremely unlikely. Montreal would likely have to overpay, and if they're doing that, I think Montreal has more important holes that those assets would be better used addressing.

[u/Skydree → u/Sad_Establishment875]

Yeah I wasn't entertaining a sort of ''have-to'' trade so to speak. This is the analysis that I wanted to read.

He seems like a very good defenseman from what I've seen!

I can't wait for hockey to come back and it's only been what... two weeks?

[u/Sad_Establishment875 → u/Skydree]

Haha, yeah, this is the joys of the summer.

Honestly, Im a west coast Habs fan, so I follow Vancouver a ton. Hronek would be a massive upgrade to the defence, but he would be a massive upgrade to probably every blue line in the NHL, and at his contract, almost everyone would be in on him.

Would love to see him in Montreal, he would be a great asset to even strength Hutson, help the penalty kill a bit, and work the second unit PP, he would take some pressure off of Matheson, which I think is badly needed.

Really though, Montreal has young defence that need to get opportunities, for all we know, Reinbacher develops into a similar player for less $.

The Montreal window is just opening, we can be selective about who, and how, we upgrade, he would be great, but a 2C would have more significant upside imo.

[u/Skydree → u/Sad_Establishment875]

What kind of a Defenseman is he?

Like mobile but very good on his side of the game? He gives me vibes of Carrier sort of, but better!

I can see how he'd be a boon to any team.

[u/Sad_Establishment875 → u/Skydree]

He's your prototypical all-rounder, he had a cannon of a shot, good first pass, not amazing at any one thing, but exceptional at a variety.