Detroit Red Wings

Quiet Hronek Quietly Playing Sensationally For Red Wings

Red Wings defenseman on 73-point pace

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2022

Bob Duff

Red WIngs defenseman Filip Hronek has scored five goals in the past five games.

Asked about his spectacular start to the season, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek responded in his usual understated manner.

“Of course I’m happy,” Hronek said. “We’re winning. That’s the biggest thing.

“I think we were playing better hockey so far. We’re playing good.”

So is Hronek – very good, in fact. He’s putting himself in the same conversation with Red Wings defensive legends.

Filip Hronek put the @DetroitRedWings up 2-0 on Wednesday and has five goals in his last five games.#NHLStats: https://t.co/JlYzpSW8wB pic.twitter.com/msA1F1qway

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 24, 2022

For his part, Hronek would much prefer to go about his business in the shadows. He neither seeks out, or enjoys the glare of the spotlight.

However, if he continues to do things not seen in these parts since seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom retired, attention will continue to seek him out.

With a goal and an assist in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory, Hronek ran his tally to five goals over Detroit’s last five games. Hronek became the first Detroit defenseman with five goals in a five-game span since Lidstrom from Dec. 15-23, 2010. He’s riding a five-game point streak (5-2-7).

Only five NHL defensemen have more goals than Hronek this season. Just 10 rearguards have accumulated more points. With 16 points in 18 games, Hronek is currently on a 73-point pace.

Others Willing To Speak For Hronek

If Hronek chooses to deflect credit away from his direction, several of his Detroit teammates are more than willing to heap effusive praise upon their teammate.

“I think he’s been awesome all season,” defense partner Olli Maatta said. “Happy to see he’s getting pucks going in for him, too. I know it means a lot but at the same time he’s doing a lot of great things off the puck, too.

“I think those things get kind of unnoticed and I think the way he’s playing, he’s getting rewarded. It’s awesome to see.”

Filip Hronek has five goals among seven points in the last five games, including this beauty on the power play!#LGRW | @ThinkFordFirst @hronek_filip pic.twitter.com/86AzkpBtsG

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) November 24, 2022

Hronek’s defensive acumen was on display during Wednesday’s win. The Red Wings were left to defend a 5-on-3 shorthanded situation for 1:37. Making matters worse, top defensive pairing Moritz Seider and Ben Chiarot were the Detroit players serving time in the sin bin.

“I think that’s a credit to Olli, that’s a credit to Hronek, where their game is at,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “We have our top two D out, our two defensive D. They would’ve eaten up most of that 3v5.”

Lalonde’s Request? Dial Down the Risk

At the outset of the season, Lalonde was asking of Hronek that he not cheat for offense. He sought from him to avoid trading risk in pursuit of potential reward.

Last season, while Hronek was fifth on the team with career-high 5-33-38 numbers, he was also posting the third-worst minus on the club at -29.

“Filip has that tendency to drift in his game a little bit,” Lalonde said during the preseason. “I think we’ll try to simplify, make his game a little bit more predictable and take out some of that risk.”