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Red Wings may be leaning towards burying this roster defenseman with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins
Photo credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings could decide to bury the contract of another defenseman in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins after an underwhelming start to the season.
The Grand Rapids Griffins have had a lot of success so far this season, currently sitting at the top of the Central Division with a 9-0-1 record.
That success could be attributed to many things, but a lot of it can be explained by the veteran presence in the lineup.
Among the five best scorers on the team, three players are 31 years old or older, including their top-scoring defenseman, Erik Gustafsson.
The Wings decided to send him to the Griffins at the start of the season, burying his $2 million AAV contract down in the AHL.
According to a new report, the team could do the same with another player.
Red Wings Could Decide To Bury Travis Hamonic's Contract In The AHL
The Detroit Red Wings had three straight days without games on the schedule, which won't happen often this year due to the condensed calendar.
The team used that opportunity to make some lineup adjustments, and in the latest version, Travis Hamonic was the seventh defenseman, being replaced on the third pair by Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Hamonic, 35, has scored one point in nine games this season, with a -2 +/-.
At this stage of his career, Hamonic is a great player to have around the team in case of injuries. Keeping him in the NHL makes sense for the Red Wings, even as an extra, much more than using a younger defenseman in that role.
However, Hamonic could also play a big role in the AHL to help the younger guys develop.
It'll be interesting to see what Steve Yzerman decides to do next regarding the veteran.
Meanwhile, he'll sit out tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks.
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