Red Wings: Hronek Looking for a Big Year in Detroit

Filip Hronek is going into his fifth season with Detroit. He played his first NHL game at just 21 and continues to play significant minutes for the Red Wings. As a second-round draft pick, Hronek was expected to be good, but how good can this defenseman from Czechia become as Detroit embarks on a season where they are expected to make a run at the playoffs?

Here is an as extended look at defenseman Filip Hronek.

Filip Hronek, RD

Age: 24

Draft: 2016 Round 2 #53 Overall by Detroit Red Wings

2022-2023 Contract: $4,400,000 per year for two more years (RFA after 2023-2024 season)

Junior Career

Filip Hronek played for Saginaw (OHL)

Filip Hronek started his junior career playing for Mountfield in Czechia. In 2015-2016, Hronek played most of the season professionally for Mountfield. At 18, Hronek played 40 games, picked up four assists, and got a +3 rating. After the 2015-2016 season, Hronek was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by the Detroit Red Wings. He was also selected 14th overall by Saginaw (OHL) in the CHL Import Draft.

After being drafted by Saginaw, Hronek made an impressive jump to the OHL. In his only junior season in North America, Hronek played 59 games and scored 14 goals, 47 assists, 61 points, and had a +15 rating. Saginaw missed the playoffs, and Hronek jumped to the AHL and played the final ten regular season games and two playoff games for Grand Rapids. The Griffins won the Calder Cup Championship, and Hronek witnessed a winning environment.

Hronek played the entire 2017-2018 season in the AHL. In 67 regular season games, he scored 11 goals, 28 assists, 39 points, and had a +24 rating. The Griffins were knocked out of the playoffs in five games while Hronek chipped in with one assist and had a -5 rating.

Making the Jump to the NHL

Filip Hronek was recalled to Detroit in 2018

On October 4, 2018, Hronek made his NHL debut. Throughout the season, Hronek played for both Detroit and Grand Rapids (AHL). In 46 NHL games, he scored five goals, 18 assists, 23 points, and had a -10 rating. In 31 regular season games, he scored seven goals, 17 assists, 24 points, and had an even +/- rating. In five playoff games, Hronek chipped in with three assists. With Detroit once again missing the playoffs, Hronek finished the year playing in Grand Rapids.

Hronek has played the last three full seasons in the NHL. In 2019-2020, he scored a career-best nine goals. In the pandemic-shortened 2021 season, Hronek led the Red Wings with 26 points while playing all 56 games.

Last year, Hronek had a miserable year defensively. In 78 games, Hronek had a -29 rating. He averaged 22:02 minutes of ice time, which was second behind only Moritz Seider. Offensively, Hronek scored most of his points at even strength. He scored five goals, 33 assists, and 38 points. Only seven of his points were scored on the power play.

Final Thoughts

Filip Hronek will have a different defense partner this year, which should help shore up his defensive shortcomings. Olli Maatta and Ben Chiarot were added during free agency, and both are considered superior defensively compared to Hronek’s defense partners from last year. Hronek should get a chance to continue playing on the power play. With more depth up front, the Red Wings should score more goals which should appeal to Hronek’s offensive capabilities. This is a big year for Hronek as he embarks on the second year of his three-year contract with Detroit.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Chris Giles

Chris Giles is a former junior hockey player and coach from Canada. He has been a diehard Detroit Red Wings fan for almost 50 years. Chris is an avid golfer who has volunteered at several PGA and Canadian Open Championships throughout North America.

Leave a Reply

Tanner Jeannot of the Los Angeles Kings

Player Profile: Tanner Jeannot

Tanner Jeannot was born on May 29, 1997, in Estevan, Saskatchewan. The left-shooting forward played for three seasons with the Estevan Bruins from 2010-13. In his first two seasons with the U15 club, Jeannot scored 29 goals and collected 18 assists in 42 games and five goals and three assists in ten postseason games. Jeannot […]

Read More
Gage Goncalves of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning Make Significant Player Signings To Start July

As free agency has started in the National Hockey League, many teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, are making significant roster moves with free agents and player extensions. Just yesterday, July 1, for day one of free agency, the Lightning extended young 24-year-old Portuguese forward Gage Goncalves to a two-year contract worth $1.2 million a […]

Read More
William Moore 2025 Draft Profile

Breaking Down Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney’s Draft

Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has been in his position for ten years now and has seen success with one Stanley Cup Finals appearance and one historic regular season. This past season was the first time since 2016 that the Bruins failed to make the playoffs. Sweeney has added pieces to the prior core […]

Read More