In March 2022, the Ottawa Senators acquired defenseman Travis Hamonic in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks. In July 2023, Hamonic signed a two-year, $2.2 million ($1.1 million per year) contract to stay a Senator.
In the 2023-24 season and 2024-25 season, Hamonic saw some struggles. Hamonic played a total of 107 games and recorded 13 points with a -26 rating during that two-year span.
However, the 2024-25 season was Hamonic's biggest struggle as a Senator. Now, the 34-year-old Quebec native is due for a new contract this Summer. Even with struggles throughout the season, there still might be a reason for the Senators to consider re-signing the veteran defenseman who has played in 900 NHL games.
To have defensive depth, but at a cheap contract would reasonable for Senators to have reason to re-sign Hamonic this Summer
In the 2024-25 season, Hamonic recorded seven points with a -16 rating. Hamonic's -16 rating was the worst on the Senators. Hamonic's struggling season and being a free agent might have people expect him not to be back with the Senators.
Hamonic's -16 rating was his lowest since the 2016-17 season. Even with struggles, re-signing Hamonic would have depth among the Senators defense, but it would need to be at the right price.
The Senators will have defenseman Dennis Gilbert be a free agent along with Hamonic. Gilbert only played in four games with the Senators after being traded over to the Senators in March from the Buffalo Sabres, so there's no guarantee that Gilbert could have interest to re-sign with the little playing time he had after the trade.
Hamonic is still a veteran voice in the locker room to have, but coming back on a new contract has to be fair. A one-year contract at below $1 million might be fair for Hamonic. The Senators will need to have money in place in attempt to re-sign Claude Giroux, Leevi Merilainen, Fabian Zetterlund, Adam Gaudette and Nick Cousins to name some players.
As much as Hamonic did have struggles, his no-trade clause was hurting the Senators if they wanted to try and trade him back the trade deadline.
Despite not playing in the 2025 playoffs, Hamonic mentioned how he enjoyed seeing the Ottawa community rally around the Senators at his end of year media availability. Hamonic also mentioned how much he loves Ottawa and playing in Ottawa. Hamonic has also taken the criticism he received over the course of the 2024-25 season.
"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and it is what is is," Hamonic said.
Hamonic wouldn't acknowledge the criticism of what was said about his play and focused on the positives during the season, which is a positive mindset to have.
With high praise spoken about the city of Ottawa, it's clear that Hamonic has enjoyed being a Senator since being traded over in 2022. If the price is right for the Senators, re-signing Hamonic to have defensive depth could be needed for next season.