Defenseman Travis Hamonic was traded to the Ottawa Senators in the middle of the 2021-22 season. After being traded, Hamonic went on to spend the next 3.5 years with the team.
Even with a struggling 2024-25 season with criticism from fans, Hamonic spoke highly of the Ottawa community and being a Senator. However, Hamonic wouldn't return to the Senators and signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
At 35 years old, Hamonic was eager for a fresh start in Motown. However, the Red Wings are learning about Hamonic being a liability which the Senators know about well.
Hamonic's tenure in Detroit has been rough
Hamonic's first season in Detroit sure has been a rough one. Hamonic has played in nine of the Red Wings' 17 games this season. Overall, Hamonic has recorded just one assist with a -2 rating and 14 penalty minutes.
It was opening night when the Red Wings first had trouble with Hamonic when he finished the game with a -3 rating. After opening night, the Red Wings didn't play Hamonic until Oct. 25.
Hamonic did record an assist and a +2 rating in Detroit's game on Oct. 25 and has been in the lineup ever since, but has been a liability.
Since Halloween, the Red Wings have lost four of their last five games with Hamonic, and are currently on a three-game losing streak with him in the lineup.
Over the past two games, Hamonic recorded a -1 rating in each game. Last night against the Chicago Blackhawks may have been Hamonic's worst game as a Red Wing.
Early in the second period, Hamonic took a penalty, which resulted in Teuvo Teravainen scoring a powerplay goal. Teravainen's goal turned out to be the game-winning goal. The Blackhawks went on to win the game by a final score of 5-1, and Hamonic's 10:53 ice time was his worst all season.
Just like Anton Forsberg's inconsistency, which the Los Angeles Kings are currently experiencing, the Senators know about Hamonic being a defensive liability as well. Last season, Hamonic's -16 rating was the worst on the Senators. Hamonic didn't play in the 2025 playoffs.
Now, the Red Wings are learning that Hamonic can be a liability when he's on the ice.