Photo credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
A recent acquisition made by the Detroit Red Wings organization is officially out of the lineup after a tough start to the season.
Indeed, in a practice ahead of the game against one of the NHL’s most up-and-coming teams, the Anaheim Ducks, McLellan shuffled his cards both up front and on the blue line.
Bernard-Docker Replaces Travis Hamonic in the Lineup After Tough Start to the Season for the Veteran
Hamonic, 35, signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Wings during the summer. He has been limited to nine games so far this season in Detroit, recording one point – an assist – along with 14 penalty minutes and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Although those numbers aren’t terrible, Jacob Bernard-Docker has shown he can bring more to the team, posting similar stats after eight games but with just 2 PIMs and a +2 rating.
McLellan decided to put him back in the lineup at Hamonic’s expense:
It’s crucial for a team looking to make the playoffs to be able to bounce back. Currently in their longest losing streak of the season, the Red Wings must return to the winning path as soon as possible.
That streak has caused them to lose several spots in the standings, falling to fifth place only weeks after competing for the top of the division with the Montreal Canadiens.
Obviously, the timing could be better, with one of the most surprising teams of the season in town.
Previously on Red Wings Insider