Travis Hamonic Re-signs: "How Could Anybody Not Want to be Part of the Senators?"
Hamonic will earn three times less than last season but is thrilled to be keeping his family in Ottawa.
Mar 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (23) plays the puck behind the net during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Ottawa defeated Seattle 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports - Travis Hamonic Re-signs: "How Could Anybody Not Want to be Part of the Senators?"Back in April, when the Ottawa Senators season came to a close, defenseman Travis Hamonic made it very clear to the local media he was interested in staying in Ottawa. He said he not only likes the team, but living in Kanata was a perfect fit for his family.
“How could anybody not want to be a part of the Senators?” Hamonic asked at the team’s season-ending media availability in April.
But leading up to free agency, it was starting to look like the Senators might not want Hamonic to be an Ottawa Senator. At least, not without a heavy discount on the $3 million average annual value on his last contract.
On Tuesday, four days into free agency, Hamonic showed exactly how much he loves playing here by accepting that reduction, but with a catch. He wanted an extra year on the deal and a no movement clause.
The Senators agreed to re-sign the unrestricted free-agent defenseman to a two-year extension with an average annual value of $1.1 million.
"Travis is a key component of our group," GM Pierre Dorion said in a club-issued statement. "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."
Despite suffering a cracked Adam’s apple while blocking a shot, not to mention getting accidentally slashed in the face during a Thomas Chabot tantrum, the often bruised and banged up 32-year-old skated in career-high 75 regular-season games last season.
Travis Hamonic’s estimated NHL career earnings is $36.2 million. He could have padded that number a little more by moving on to a new team. But for the cost of a few extra million, he’s setting roots down where he believes he and his family will be happy.
And, as we’ve seen with Claude Giroux, when players embrace Ottawa, this city’s fans tend to return the favour. The capital has felt like home, so Hamonic did what good, stay-at-home defenceman do.