The Detroit Red Wings by their own admission have not been hard to play against and need a tougher, more physical, gritty temperament.
Travis Hamonic hopes to bring a little of that element to their defense much like he has during his 15-year NHL career with the New York Islanders, Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa.
“Bring some physicality on the back end, be solid on the penalty kill, blocking shots, doing some of those not-so-pretty jobs sometimes, some of the jobs that hurt,” Hamonic said. “But when you got to block a shot, it’s your turn to take a hit to make a play, maybe not a flashy play, but just a smart play that’s going to benefit the team in that moment.”
The Red Wings signed Hamonic, 35, to a one-year, $1 million contract on Aug. 15 after he spent the past 3½ seasons with the Senators. He’s part of a crowded blue line featuring eight NHL D-men.
“It’s going to be competitive and I’m there to push and earn my ice time,” Hamonic said. “I know what’s expected of me and what I have to do to get in the lineup and stay in the lineup. I think when you have that competitiveness mixed in with that cohesiveness as a defensive unit, that’s when you get the best out of everybody and you are going to need everybody throughout the course of the season.”
Hamonic might be competing for a spot in the lineup with fellow right-shooters Justin Holl and Jacob Bernard-Docker, his teammate in Ottawa who the Red Wings signed on July 1 for one year.
“He’s become a really good friend of mine,” Hamonic said. “He’s got some sneaky skill, he plays hard. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s very competitive, he moves well, and he’s someone that can make solid plays when he’s feeling confident, in the rush.”
Hamonic played 59 games last season, missing time late in the year due to a lower-body injury and as a healthy scratch. He was part of an Ottawa team that ended a seven-year playoff drought and hopes to do the same in Detroit, which has been out of the postseason for nine years.
“We want to get in, we want to make some noise and take that next step,” Hamonic said. “I’m ready to do what I have to do to be a good teammate and contribute. I still believe I have some good hockey in front of me.”
This is the first time he’s had to wait this long to find a team, but he’s excited for the opportunity.
“It’s one of those cities and one of those organizations where you come in and it’s a ‘wow’ factor every single time,” Hamonic said. “Whether it was early on in my career at Joe Louis or now at Little Caesars, to be part of an Original Six is something I think every player wants to have the chance.
“When you mix that in with the team and where they’re at … as an opposing player, it was always a hard game against Detroit. The speed, the skill up front, some really good, young, skilled defensemen. It made it a very desirable place for me.”
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