The Hockey News’s Steve Warne adds some context to the Red Wings’ signing of depth defenseman Travis Hamonic to a 1-year, $1 million contract today:
Last season was a turbulent one for both [Jacob Bernard-Docker and Hamonic]. Bernard-Docker overcame a serious leg injury at practice early in the season and thought he might find a new opportunity with the Sabres. But they healthy-scratched him for over two weeks after he arrived. He played the final 15 games in Buffalo, but the Sabres chose not to re-sign him.
Hamonic did a bit of everything here last season. He started in the bottom pair, then got some top-four minutes after an early injury to Artem Zub. Hamonic had more healthy scratches than any veteran pro would like, but he always made himself available to the team’s young defenders, particularly during the rookie seasons of Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven.
It quickly became clear after the Senators’ 2024-25 season ended that Hamonic wouldn’t be part of the club’s future plans. The team immediately re-signed Matinpalo to a two-year deal, brought former first-rounder Lassi Thomson back from Sweden, and traded for L.A. Kings defenseman Jordan Spence at the draft. With that logjam on the right side, including former first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk pressing for NHL work, Hamonic’s exit was inevitable.
When asked about his season at the year-end media availability in May, the classy veteran took the high road and didn’t dwell on any of the negatives.
“I just, quite frankly, tried to do whatever was needed from me and whatever was asked,” Hamonic said. “And I kind of played a little bit of everything this year, I think, a little bit of different roles here and there. And just tried to do that as best I could and have as much fun as I could with it. Because we are blessed to play this game and do what I do for a living. So I just tried to show up with a smile on my face and let the chips fall where they may every day.”
Continued; Hamonic doesn’t stand to be much more than an NHL veteran to replace William Lagesson as the Wings’ #7 or #8 defenseman, but his character isn’t in question.
Hamonic had this to say to Warne about his status as having fallen out with the fans by the end of the 2024-2025 season:
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and it is what it is. Early on in my career, I was told that you’re never as good as they say you are and you’re never as bad as they say you are. I was showing up every day and putting my head down and just going to work and doing whatever I could.
“The people that didn’t like my play or don’t like me, or whatever the case may be, they’re part of our fan base too. And I went out there and put that jersey on for three and a half years and played my butt off for that fan base. I would have done whatever I had to do. They’re allowed their opinion but I try to choose more positivity than the negativity, and I don’t necessarily sense a good reason to knock people down all the time. I don’t get that. But it is what it is.”
Am I worried about Hamonic’s ability to keep up with the Red Wings’ up-tempo style under coach Todd McLellan, especially given Hamonic’s rough past couple of seasons? Yes, definitely.
But I’m not worried as to whether he’s going to embrace a role that may have him driving back and forth from Grand Rapids for the upcoming season.
