In the middle of the 2021-22 season, the Ottawa Senators made a trade with the Vancouver Canucks that helped them acquire defenseman Travis Hamonic.
Hamonic's veteran presence was a strong one with being a locker room leader. After a strong 2022-23 season, the Senators re-signed Hamonic to a two-year contract at $1.1 million per year.
However, the next two seasons were struggles for Hamonic. This past 2024-25 season was a deep struggle. Now, after going 1.5 months without signing a contract, Hamonic has a new home.
Hamonic to the Motor City
Today, the Detroit Red Wings signed Travis Hamonic to a one-year contract at $1 million. The Red Wings will be Hamonic's fifth NHL team in his career.
Hamonic will turn 35 years old tomorrow. In his Senators tenure, Hamonic recorded 37 points in 201 games.
The 2024-25 season is where Hamonic had deep struggles. At times, Hamonic became a defensive liability on the ice.
Hamonic finished the 2024-25 season with recording seven points in 56 games played. Hamonic's -16 rating was the worst on the Senators roster during the season.
Even with defensive liability issues, re-signing Hamonic would've kept the Senators having defensive depth. Now, Hamonic has a fresh start in Detroit. The Senators and Red Wings had four intense battles last season with every game being decided by one goal.
The Senators and Red Wings play each other four times again this season with two games each in Ottawa and Detroit. If Hamonic is in the lineup, his first return date back to Ottawa would be on Jan. 5 at Canadian Tire Centre.