Canucks Could Pursue Defensemen On The Trade Market After Filip Hronek's Injury

News today is that the Vancouver Canucks will be without defenseman Filip Hronek for a while as a result of an upper-body injury.

Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, he didn't have all the details in terms of what Hronek was facing, but he was trying to remain cautiously optimistic regarding his outlook.

He likely suffered the injury late in the Canucks' recent loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game in which Hronek was visibly in discomfort following a hit. Early word is a potential collarbone or shoulder injury.

He's been a solid player on the Canucks' blue line this season, averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game including a season-high 27:38 against the Ottawa Senators.

Along with Quinn Hughes, he's been one of the main players who've helped solidify the backend. So, naturally, his absence brings up questions regarding the Canucks' already-thin defensive depth.

Reports have the Canucks in the market for quite some time now, searching for possible upgrades to their back end, but a trade is easier said than done considering cap constraints and finding the right fit.

Friedman also added that if the Canucks would sign another defenseman, it would be of help to their mediocre start to this year's season.

Impactful changes are preferred by the team, and management wants to maintain roster flexibility with a number of important players making their injury comebacks, he said.

It remains to be seen, however, how the Canucks manage to get around the cap and find a successor without compromising the harmony.

Possible names floating around who the Canucks could target and who have been at the center of trade rumors recently include Rangers' Jacob Trouba, Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers, and David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens.

Given Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin's level of activity, it might just be a matter of time. To get through this injury spell for Hronek, the management will need to rearrange their team in the interim.