Detroit Red Wings' signing of defenseman Travis Hamonic patches holes that were in need of a big fix

It's no secret that Detroit entered the offseason with work to do on the blue line. Depth was thin, penalty killing needed bolstering, and there was a clear need for a steady veteran presence.

Steve Yzerman officially made a move to solve that issue this morning, bringing in 34-year-old defenseman Travis Hamonic on a one-year deal worth $1 million AAV.

Hamonic, who spent the last two seasons with the Ottawa Senators, appeared in 59 games in 2024-25, recording seven points, 19 penalty minutes, 72 shots, 92 blocks, and 73 hits while averaging 17:04 of ice time.

As you can see, his value lies in his defensive skills, physicality, and ability to handle tough minutes-a great add for the team's third pair.

Originally drafted 53rd overall by the New York Islanders in 2008, Hamonic brings 900 games of NHL experience with the Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Senators. Over his career, he scored 242 points and tallied 774 penalty minutes.

Despite a disappointing 5-on-5 on-ice goal rate with Ottawa last season-0.93 goals per 60 minutes, the lowest ever tracked since 2007-08-Hamonic still showed he can block shots, kill penalties, and bring a stabilizing presence.

This isn't a flashy addition, and expectations should be kept modest, but there's always room for a surprise.

At $1 million, the Red Wings are paying slightly above league minimum, a sign they believe Hamonic's intangibles and experience are worth the investment.

His arrival could also hint at possible roster changes. Does this mean Justin Holl might be on the way out?

His veteran presence could help tighten things up in Detroit's own zone. If he can help on the penalty kill and bring consistency to his five-on-five play, this signing could end up surprising many fans disappointed by the seemingly underwhelming addition.