Vancouver Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek is going to be “out a while” according to CanucksArmy’s own Irfaan Gaffar.

Hronek appears to have injured himself in the dying moments of the third period during last night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The video, which shows Hronek in immediate discomfort, would suggest a collarbone or shoulder injury is what took place. Hronek has played big minutes for the Canucks all season long, and played over 25 minutes last night against the Penguins.

The Canucks have already been shorthanded at times this season, with key players like JT Miller (personal leave), Brock Boeser (upper body), and Dakota Joshua (cancer recovery) all missing games already.

The Canucks have had plenty of issues defensively this season, but those issues have mostly come during the time that Quinn Hughes and Hronek aren’t on the ice. It hasn’t been just Hughes playing well either, as Hronek stepped up big time to fill the void when Hughes was ejected in the first period against the Ottawa Senators last week. Hronek logged a season-high 27:38 of ice time in that game and picked up an assist as well.

Of course, an injury to Hronek that keeps him out “a while” means the Canucks’ already thin blueline just got a bit thinner. It could also mean that the club ramps up their efforts to trade for a top four defenceman, something it’s been quite clear they’ll look to acquire via trade at some point this season.

The Canucks acquired Hronek via trade from the Detroit Red Wings prior to the 2022-23 NHL Trade Deadline, and extended him this past offseason to an eight-year contract worth $7.25 million annually. So far this season, Hronek has tallied nine points in 21 games.

The club has yet to provide an official update on Hronek’s status, but we will be sure to keep you updated when that happens.