Steve Yzerman: How he sees Detroit Red Wings after free agency
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, July 3, 2025 in Detroit.
The Detroit Red Wings added another defenseman to their depth, with a low-risk signing of a veteran.
Travis Hamonic, a 34-year-old who shoots right, is in the books for one year at $1 million. Hamonic has 242 points in 900 NHL games, spread among the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and most recently, the Ottawa Senators. He’s made his living as a defensive defenseman who blocks shots and serves in a shut-down role.
Hamonic will be one more piece for coach Todd McLellan to fit into a crowded back-end lineup when the Wings head to training camp in mid-September in Traverse City.
Hamonic joins a corp that already features Moritz Seider, Justin Holl and Jacob Bernard-Docker (also a newcomer) down the right side, and left-shooters in Ben Chiarot, Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson and Erik Gustafsson. Hamonic could fit in on the third pairing, and help out killing penalties.
Unlike in previous seasons, when the Wings began the season with three goaltenders on the 23-man roster, this year they have two (Cam Talbot and newcomer John Gibson) under contract. That could allow the Wings to carry eight defensemen and still have room for 13 forwards.
That’s all part of what will be sorted during the three-day camp in Traverse City, followed by the Red-White scrimmage in Grand Rapids on Sept. 21. They will then play an eight-game exhibition slate.
This is McLellan’s first camp with the Wings since being named coach on Dec. 26.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
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