Red Wings Report Card: Player Who Didn’t Need to be Signed

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The post Red Wings Report Card: Player Who Didn’t Need to be Signed appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

You must be registered for see images attach

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

(Editor’s Note: This is another installment of a player-by-player analysis of the Detroit Red Wings’ roster for the 2025-26 season. The emphasis is on how each player performed and their future in the organization. Today, we discuss young Detroit defenseman Travis Hamonic)

Age: Turns 36 on Aug. 16.

Contract Status: Becomes a UFA July 1.

Last season’s contributions: Hamonic showed two assists, 32 hits and 43 blocked shots in his 26 games.

Grade: D

Past​

It’s difficult to fully understand why the Red Wings signed Travis Hamonic last August. Clearly, they wanted more depth on defense. But they would have been better served to see whether Axel Sandin-Pellikka would make the team before deciding to add another veteran.

We’re guessing that Hamonic would have still been available late September or early October had they waited to make the decision.

As it turned out, the Red Wings didn’t need Hamonic. It was not uncommon for him to go 10 days to two weeks between games. That happened four times and then he went 70 days between games (from Feb. 4 to April 15). He was a healthy scratch far more than he wasn’t. It’s hard to believe any defenseman could find consistency with that kind of playing time.

But Hamonic was playing regularly in November and early December when he posted 10 minus games in 13 games played. He was minus-13 in that span and finished the season at minus-11.

In 26 games played, Hamonic posted 13 minus games, six plus games and seven even games.

Present​

Although the Hamonic signing didn’t pay off for Detroit, there was never any tension created by the fact he wasn’t playing.

Coach Todd McLellan lauded Hamonic more than once for his professionalism.

“He just quietly goes about his business,” McLellan said. “What you don’t see or hear, or maybe recognize, is all the little stuff he does on the bench and in the locker room with some of the younger defensemen is very valuable and noticed by the staff.”

Future​

With the re-signing of Jacob Bernard-Docker and the likely promotion of William Wallinder, plus Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Anton Johansson and maybe Antti Tuomisto competing for jobs, there is no room or desire for the Red Wings to bring back Hamonic.

It’s unclear whether Hamonic, 35, will retire or try to sign with another team.

Next Deal: If Hamonic signs to play for another NHL team, he is likely to be playing for $900,000 or $1 million

The post Red Wings Report Card: Player Who Didn’t Need to be Signed appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Continue reading...