As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain firmly in the market for defensive help. Injuries, inconsistent play, a lack of reliability, and a thin right side have only upped the sense of urgency. Unfortunately, one name that might have solved many of Toronto’s problems appears to be off the table.
That player is Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek — and his agent, Allan Walsh, made it clear this week that a trade is not happening.
Talking About a Hronek Trade Is “Wasted Air”
Hronek has been linked to several teams amid speculation that Vancouver could be headed toward a retool. While the Canucks may avoid using the word “rebuild,” most players are available. Hronek is apparently not one of them.
Walsh believes the organization intends to remain competitive while reshaping its roster, and that Hronek is central to those plans.
Filip Hronek, Vancouver Canucks (Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images)
In response to a report from Elliotte Friedman suggesting Hronek could be a popular trade target if he waived his no-trade clause, Walsh pushed back strongly on social media.
“This is just wasted air,” Walsh wrote. “Great players are in demand everywhere. But the NHL is not fantasy hockey. Why bring up players that are not available for trade? Vancouver management and coaches are happy with Fil, and Fil has no interest in going anywhere else.”
Too Bad for the Maple Leafs
For the Maple Leafs, Hronek would have been a near-perfect fit. A right-shot defenseman capable of playing heavy minutes, contributing offensively, and stabilizing a top-four pairing, Hronek checks off multiple boxes for Toronto. His $7.25 million price tag was nothing to sneeze at, but he arguably offers better value than some of what the team currently has on its payroll.
Toronto’s blue line has struggled, and Hronek would have been a “fixer” in many ways.
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Now in the second year of an eight-year deal, Hronek has taken on a larger role in Vancouver following the departure of Quinn Hughes. He’s quietly on pace to match his career-high 48-point season. He, along with Zeev Buium, will be looked to in Vancouver to keep that team from drowning. Simply put, even if Toronto had interest — and likely did — there was never real traction.
Now, Where Do the Maple Leafs Look?
With Chris Tanev likely done for the season, Toronto is thin on the right side. It’s clear they need an upgrade if they want to stay in the playoff hunt and eventually contend. It’s unclear if they can rely on Morgan Rielly, who leads the team with a minus-14 rating. He provides offense, but has drawn public criticism for his poor defensive play.
Without Hronek as an option, there aren’t great alternatives. Brandon Montour is an intriguing target given his ability to log minutes, drive offense, and play on the power play. Like Hronek, he’s not cheap, as his $7.14 million cap hit and long-term contract would require a significant asset cost.
If the Leafs can stomach spending more money per season, Dougie Hamilton represents a big swing. The right-shot defenseman carries a $9 million cap hit through 2028. Hamilton’s puck-moving ability and experience would help.
If the focus is toughness, defense, and a team-friendly deal, Luke Schenn might be a good fit. He is a familiar and more affordable option. With an expiring deal and a manageable cap hit, Schenn wouldn’t solve Toronto’s transition issues, but he would bring physicality and stability.
Toronto needs help, and soon. Hronek may have been the ideal solution, but with that door firmly shut, the Maple Leafs will have to decide how bold they’re willing to be — and how much they’re willing to pay — to fix a blue line that clearly needs fixing.
