The Detroit Red Wings currently sit atop the Atlantic Division. They are at a pivotal juncture in their roster management, striving to balance veteran experience with emerging talent as they aim for playoff contention. After failing to land superstar Quinn Hughes in a trade, enhancing their defensive group ahead of the NHL trade deadline should remain a top priority for general manager Steve Yzerman.
That said, veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic, a seasoned NHL blueliner, currently occupies a spot in the Red Wings' defensive rotation and shouldn't. With the team's focus on optimizing performance and cap flexibility, or more importantly, occupying a roster spot, it is imperative to assess whether Hamonic remains the right fit or if placing him on waivers, as they did recently with forward Jonatan Berggren, would better serve the organization.
Hamonic has appeared in 18 games this season with the Detroit Red Wings and hasn't recorded a goal and just one assist. He's a minus-12 on the season while averaging just over 14 minutes of ice per night.
When he's not in the press box, Hamonic is the clear weakest link among Detroit defenders. In fact, he makes a guy like Ben Chiarot, a common punching bag among fans, look like a Norris Trophy candidate.
Travis Hamonic is the latest swing and miss for the Detroit Red Wings
The grizzled defender seems to do more harm than help to the lineup. His Relative Corsi For Percentage this season sits at a career worst minus-16.7. His Corsi For Percentage in all situations comes in at 40.1, the second worst of his career. None of the analytics do Hamonic any favors. His Relative Fenwick Percentage is a black hole at minus-17.1, also a career worst by a wide margin.
Hamonic's expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) is 2.85, higher than the team average of 2.45, and his defensive zone start percentage is 62 percent, indicating he is often deployed in challenging defensive situations but has struggled to suppress quality chances.
That said, he's not a player you choose to deploy in the offensive zone because he doesn't help create much of any offense. Furthermore, his goals above replacement (GAR) is -2.1, pointing to a net negative impact compared to a typical replacement-level defenseman.
There is just no reason to justify keeping Hamonic at the NHL level. The Red Wings had no problem placing Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson on waivers to begin the year, both of whom are likely better options than Hamonic now. Jacob Bernard-Docker has been the beneficiary of Hamonic's struggles, but it's been more of a revolving door between the two all season.
Also, Albert Johansson, who has had his share of growing pains, would also benefit from playing with a better option down the stretch.
Not only would I expect Yzerman to look to add some depth scoring ahead of the deadline, but also improve the second pairing, which, in turn, should strengthen the third pairing by default if Detroit continues to prove they are playoff contenders and finally, after all these years, not pretenders.