Hughes-Hronek split on new-look Vancouver Canucks defence pairs
The Vancouver Canucks are trying a new look with their defence pairs.
The club is short-handed on the back end as Tyler Myers is serving a three-game suspension, and Noah Juulsen is still banged up. Mark Friedman has been called up as reinforcements, and head coach Rick Tocchet is prepared to mix up his pairs in tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
That includes separating Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek, who have made up one of the NHL’s most devastating duos over the past two seasons.
“I told Fil yesterday, he might have a couple of different pairs, situational hockey,” said Tocchet this morning. “He has to be ready to play with Huggy sometimes and also to have his own pair, so he has to be ready for it.”
While they had just an optional skate this morning, the Canucks gave a preview as to what their defence pairs could look like at yesterday’s practice. This is how they lined up.
Hughes – Friedman
Soucy – Hronek
Forbort – Desharnais
By splitting up Hughes and Hronek, the Canucks spread their puck-moving ability more evenly across their defence corps. Over the past three seasons, Hronek has played just over 475 minutes of five-on-five ice time away from Hughes. During that time, the Canucks have been outshot 251-182, although they’ve outscored opponents 21-13.
Friedman has been given a prime position next to Hughes. The 29-year-old has played three games with the big club so far this season after getting in 23 last year.
“It’s a big opportunity,” said Friedman today. “I’m old enough now to know when I’ve got to know when I’ve got to take advantage of it, and tonight’s one of those opportunities. I’m really excited whether it’s with Huggy or Forbort or whoever it is.”
It’s looking like Friedman will get a lot of shifts with Hughes, which can require a different skill set due to the reigning Norris Trophy winner’s dynamic ability. However, Friedman says playing alongside the captain makes it easier, not harder.
“It’s what he can do to help me; he’s so good, obviously. I’ve just got to get him the puck…he just makes it easy; he’s so good when I hear him calling for the puck; I’ve just got to get it to him right away.”
The Canucks are looking to stack consecutive wins together for the first time since early December. They face a streaking Sabres group, which has recently beaten good teams such as the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals.