Another item crossed off the ol’ To Do list.
Travis Hamonic is back with the Senators for a couple more seasons. It’s a contract that will see him earn $1.1M a season.
Hamonic, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks back in March 2022, appeared in 75 games with the Senators last season. He put up six goals and 21 points but his real impact was in the defensive end of the rink, including on the penalty kill.
The guy is a warrior in every sense of the word and his willingness to block shots, battle through injury and provide leadership in the room are all big reasons why the Senators were eager to bring him back.
Pierre Dorion has been pretty consistent about his interest in bringing Hamonic back since the end of last season and Hamonic was equally interested in sticking around. In the end, the temptation of offers on the open market wasn’t enough for Hamonic to leave an organization that he has raved about over the last year and a bit.
The deal is a season longer than the one Dorion seemed to be alluding to over the last couple months and also reportedly comes with a no-movement clause. Would be interesting to know if Hamonic had a similar offer on the table on the open market.
Here’s Dorion on the signing…
“Travis is a key component of our group. He routinely sets a good example for our younger players with work ethic and accountability, his fearlessness and with a determination level that he seems to exceed each time he steps on the ice. He’s a leader with strong character and someone we’re very pleased to see returning.”
With Hamonic back in the fold next season, the Opening Night blueline for the Senators appears to be mostly locked in. Ottawa now has seven defenceman on one-way contracts including Chabot, Chychrun, Zub, Sanderson, Brannstrom, Hamonic and Bernard-Docker.
Pierre Dorion obviously still has some work to do this off-season to sort out the forward group but today’s signing is likely the end of the tinkering on the back end.
