Rick Tocchet could choose to re-unite Hronek with Quinn Hughes for a dynamic duo, but could also opt to juggle the back end for better balance. Read more.
It’s very cold in Winnipeg and warming up in Vancouver.
A minus-25 Celsius temperature reading in the Manitoba capital Monday was nothing new — and even minus-35 with the wind chill comes with the territory of residing or visiting Winterpeg — but none of that should bother the Canucks.
The top-pairing defenceman has joined the NHL club after rehabbing a lower-body injury in Abbotsford during a conditioning loan. He was sidelined in late November with a shoulder injury, and also had a lower-body ailment that required a minor procedure, and that placed him on long-term injury reserve. He was expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks, so his return is right on schedule.
Hronek, 27, fell awkwardly into the boards in final minute of a 5-4 loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 27 but that ailment did not require surgery.
Hronek signed an eight-year, US$58 million contract — $7.25 million average annual value — on June 19 after setting career highs last season for assists (43), points (48), plus-minus rating (plus-33) and shots on goal (148) in 81 games.
More to come …