Filip Hronek’s agent is not happy.

During the final minute of regulation in the Vancouver Canucks‘ Friday night game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov delivered an elbow to the back of the Canucks defenceman’s head. Hronek was forced to exit the game after a concussion spotter pulled him with 17 seconds remaining in the third period.

The play went unpenalized, due in part to the fact that the referee, who would have had the best view of it was shielding his face from the puck that was heading his way as a result of Hronek’s clearing attempt. Hronek’s agent, Allan Walsh, took to the social media platform X to express his displeasure with the play.

“Here we go again! The National Concussion League,” Walsh wrote. “Open season on NHL players’ brains. No call on the play. If only the referee were in a position to have a clear view of the play.”

Walsh has long been an outspoken critic of the NHL’s handling of concussions and player safety. He has made numerous comments over the years, often via social media, highlighting the long-term risks for players and the league’s perceived lack of action. The hit on Hronek was no doubt dirty, and drew attention from more people than just Walsh.

“You can see the referee turning to protect himself but this should be a suspension when the league looks at it. Blatant elbow,” wrote ex-NHLer and current broadcaster Ray Ferraro in a post to X.

The Hurricanes went on to win the game in overtime, with Sebastian Aho scoring the overtime winner. Hronek was not available to the Canucks for the rest of the game. Post game, Canucks head coach Adam Foote confirmed that Hronek was pulled by the spotter, but didn’t offer any further update on Hronek’s status just yet.

The Canucks won’t practice on Saturday, meaning the next time we will hear from Foote will likely be on Sunday after the Canucks’ morning skate ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hopefully, Hronek doesn’t miss any time as a result of the elbow.

Hronek has been rock solid for the Canucks this season, with or without Quinn Hughes. The Canucks are asking a lot of the 28-year-old defenceman this season, and he’s delivered. Hronek has nine assists in 19 games this season and has arguably been the Canucks’ most reliable defenceman to begin the season.

We should find out tomorrow if the NHL Department of Player Safety will hand out discipline to Svechnikov for the hit.