After years of only wanting to play in Western Canada, defenceman Travis Hamonic is reportedly willing to consider all options heading into the 2021-22 season. It’s an interesting twist for a player that most expected would be back with the Canucks next season and has been well-known as someone who isn’t necessarily open to a variety of playing destinations.
Hamonic, 30, spent the first seven seasons of his career with the New York Islanders but let it be known in his final few years in Long Island that he would prefer to be in Western Canada to be closer to family. He got his wish prior to the 2017-18 season when he was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he spent three seasons before signing a one-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks last offseason.
Now that he is set to become an unrestricted free agent once again, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting he no longer has a preference as to where he plays going forward. It isn’t a guarantee he leaves the Canucks, as they still appear to have interest, but this news would certainly catch many teams attention as Hamonic is a very capable NHL defenceman.
This past season, Hamonic suited up for 38 games with the Canucks, scoring three goals and 10 points, while averaging just under 20 minutes per game in ice time. He also averaged just shy of two minutes on the penalty kill, which was the third highest total amongst all Vancouver defencemen this season. He also finished second on the team with 81 blocked shots, something he has been known for throughout his 675-game career.
Gauging Interest
As far as interest, there should be several suitors for Hamonic given that he does hit the free agent market. With the cap remaining flat for the 2021-22 season, he likely won’t get much if any more than his inexpensive $1.25 million cap hit he signed for this past season.
While their may be many teams interested, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hamonic – who has never played on an overly competitive team – look to sign with a contender in hopes of chasing down a Stanley Cup. Though he may not be the same top four shut down defenceman he once was, he is still a very capable top six option on a contending team.
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