When the Detroit Red Wings signed Travis Hamonic late in the offseason, I was like, "Who?" Here, you got a guy whose ceiling's the seventh defenseman on a great team, but for a solid yet unspectacular Red Wings squad, Hamonic might be the No. 6 blueliner.
That means I'm putting Jacob Bernard-Docker at No. 5, and the only reason I'd line Hamonic next to him is for obvious reasons: They were teammates in Ottawa, so there might be some chemistry there.
Still, I'd feel a heck of a lot better if Erik Gustafsson proves me wrong and gets off to a fine start. But I'm not expecting it. So I won't be surprised if and when Hamonic sees something closer to the 75 games he played with Ottawa back in 2022-23, given that intangible regarding Bernard-Docker.
But to I see production? Maybe something between 10 and 12 points if he's lucky and about 15-16 minutes of average ice time.
Hopefully, he brings an edgier, old-school style that the Wings need, lands hits, invades shooting lanes, and positions himself well enough to give either John Gibson or Cam Talbot a break.
Travis Hamonic will have an intangible role with the Detroit Red Wings
Rght now, I've been focusing on Travis Hamonic the player, and the message is clear: Don't expect much. So, why's he here? One reason: To mentor youngsters.
Guys like Simon Edvinsson, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Albert Johansson, and even Moritz Seider will benefit from a mentor and veteran presence like Hamonic, who's spent 15 seasons in the league. He don't have much experience getting to the playoffs, but there are few players in the NHL who handle adversity well, so it's why, logistically, it was a good call for Steve Yzerman to bring him in.
No, he's not part of their future plans, so let's not even pretend that'll be the case. Ditto for James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, and you may even add John Gibson into that equation. But all of the above will help those who are here for the long haul, and that could lead to a payoff.
While Hamonic's play will probably be more irrelevant this season than anything else, don't judge his on-ice performance alone. Look at the intangibles, and the value he'll give to the younger blueliners on this hockey team.
That's what makes him one of the more important players in the lineup, even if he ends up watching games from the press box. Heck, that might even make him more valuable.