The Detroit Red Wings have signed veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic to a one-year contract worth $1 million, as reported by Rogers Sportsnet on Friday. This move aims to strengthen the team’s defensive depth ahead of the 2025-26 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL season, reflecting General Manager Steve Yzerman’s cautious approach to building a reliable blue line.
Hamonic’s Journey Through Five NHL Teams
Travis Hamonic, originally from St. Malo, Manitoba, joins Detroit as the fifth NHL franchise in his career. He previously played seven seasons with the New York Islanders from 2010 to 2017, followed by stints with the Calgary Flames (2017-2020), Vancouver Canucks (2021-2022), and the Ottawa Senators (2022-2025), offering extensive experience across multiple organizations.
Career Overview and Defensive Contributions
Over 900 NHL games, Hamonic has accumulated 53 goals and 189 assists, totaling 242 points. His defensive statistics include 1,765 blocked shots and 1,380 hits, reflecting his physical style of play. While his plus-minus rating sits at -26, his endurance and consistency have remained apparent, accompanied by 774 penalty minutes and regular contributions on special teams with 26 power-play points and nine shorthanded points.
Recent Season Performance with Ottawa Senators
During the 2024-25 season, Hamonic recorded one goal and six assists in 59 games, managing a -16 rating with 72 shots on goal and 92 blocked shots. His physical presence was further supported by 73 hits, 17 takeaways, and 62 giveaways, indicating an active but sometimes vulnerable defensive performance throughout the season.
Notable Moments and Impact in Last Season
Hamonic’s sole goal of the season came on March 18 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, contributing to Ottawa’s attempt to mount a comeback in a 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He scored to give the Senators a 3-2 lead in the third period, assisted by David Perron and Tyler Kleven. Additionally, Hamonic assisted on a second-period goal by Michael Amadio, marking his only multi-point game of the year.
Evaluating Detroit’s Defensive Lineup and Hamonic’s Role
The Red Wings’ defense is anchored by Moritz Seider, last year’s Calder Trophy winner, who remains a cornerstone for the future. Alongside Hamonic, Detroit retains Ben Chiarot, another seasoned defenseman with a similar history of playing for Canadian teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets. The team’s defensive depth also includes players such as Justin Holl and a group of promising Swedish defensemen—Erik Gustafsson, Simon Edvinsson, and Albert Johansson. Detroit’s financial commitment to Hamonic exceeds that of Johansson, underscoring the value placed on Hamonic’s veteran presence.
Assessment of the Signing’s Potential Outcomes
Though the addition of Hamonic provides depth and experience to the Red Wings’ defensive corps, questions remain about his long-term effectiveness at age 35. This signing marks Hamonic’s first return to an American team since his request to move to a Canadian franchise nearly ten years ago. The decision by Steve Yzerman receives a cautious evaluation, as it balances between immediate defensive support and uncertainty surrounding Hamonic’s ability to perform at a high level moving forward.