Canucks' Filip Hronek undergoes lower-body procedure, out approximately eight weeks

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek will be out for approximately eight weeks after undergoing a successful lower-body procedure.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced the news Tuesday, adding that the 27-year-old will not require surgery on his upper-body injury.

The last update given on Hronek's status came on Friday when Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters that the right-shot defenceman was still being evaluated for an upper-body injury and didn't have a timeline for a return.

Hronek suffered the injury in the final minute of a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week. He went shoulder-first into the end boards after a hit from defenceman Jack St. Ivany. He left the ice and was favouring his right shoulder.

It is unclear when the lower-body ailment occurred.

"I think when you play in this league long enough, whether it's as a player or as a coach, you're going to have adversity and you've got to come together as a group," Tocchet said Friday amid Vancouver's injury woes. "It's a committee thing. You can't take it upon yourself as an individual to take over the team type of thing." 

Hronek has recorded one goal and eight assists while averaging over 23 minutes of ice time in 21 games this season. He signed an eight-year, $58 million contract extension with the Canucks in June.

Playing in his seventh NHL season — and third with Vancouver — Hronek has formed an elite partnership with Quinn Hughes on the Canucks blueline.

In Hronek's absence, Vancouver has recalled Mark Friedman and slotted Noah Juulsen into the starting lineup.

The Canucks currently sit third in the Pacific Division with a 13-7-3 record and have won two straight games.

You can watch them take on the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night on Sportsnet Pacific. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

— With files from The Canadian Press