The Detroit Red Wings took a Hail Mary by signing veteran blue liner Travis Harmonic to a one-year deal on Friday. The pact is worth $1 million against the cap.
The club announced the signing, amid questions surrounding its quiet offseason. Fans would have preferred to see the Red Wings make a splash. However, the options at this point in the offseason are somewhat slim.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have signed defenseman Travis Hamonic to a one-year contract with an AAV of $1,000,000. pic.twitter.com/fw1qWJwEM2
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 15, 2025
Moreover, the prevailing wisdom is that Steve Yzerman is reluctant to take any long-term shots on veteran free agents. That’s why Hamonic lands in the Motor City on a one-year contract.
But beyond that, Hamonic is nothing more than wishful thinking for the Red Wings. His last productive season was in 2022-23 when he played in 75 games, racking six goals and 21 points for the Ottawa Senators.
Since then, Hamonic has dealt with injuries and dwindling ice time. He appeared in 59 games last season, registering just seven points. However, his lineup spot was eventually handed over to the younger blue liners on the roster.
That situation made Hamonic expendable in Ottawa. The Senators view themselves as a playoff team and likely don’t want to carry anymore dead weight on their books.
Looking at Hamonic’s place in Red Wings’ lineup
Travis Hamonic will be a seventh defenseman at best for the Red Wings this upcoming season. It’s hard to see him leapfrog younger blue liners like Albert Johansson. Also, it’s difficult to envisage Hamonic prying a spot away from other questionable vets like Justin Holl and Ben Chiarot.
Unless the wheels completely fall off Holl or Chiarot, Hamonic will mostly sit in the press box. Still, having a veteran defenseman like Travis Hamonic is not the craziest idea in the world. He’ll be a replacement for Jeff Petry. The 37-year-old departed via free agency, signing with the Florida Panthers this summer.
Petry saw action in 44 games last season. So, that’s essentially the sort of role Hamonic can expect in Detroit this upcoming season. It might not be the most glamorous role for Hamonic. But there does seem to be logic behind the Red Wings’ move.
Ultimately, the Wings are in transition this season. They risk falling into the mushy middle unless their young stars jump to the next level. That’s why it makes no sense to burden the club with veterans on expensive multi-year deals.