Canucks Rumour: There is interest in signing Travis Hamonic
The Vancouver Canucks could potentially be in on signing free agent defender Travis Hamonic, and it could all come down to the ability to clear cap space.
The NHL is potentially just one month away, and with the 2021 regular season start date suddenly approaching so soon, it’s created some rumblings on the free agent market.
The Vancouver Canucks are a team that could still have their eyes on the remaining UFA’s that are still available this year and the Calgary Flames right-shot defender, Travis Hamonic could very well be the target in mind.
According to TSN1040’s Donnie & The Moj, Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich believes Vancouver could be a team that’s on the shortlist.
“Calgary and Vancouver are in on Hamonic, and whoever can clear enough [cap] space, will end up getting him on a one-year “show me” deal, it all comes down to Ferland & if he goes on LTIR.”
The Canucks have a bit of a shortage when it comes to having capable right-side defenders, and at 30-years-old, Hamonic could be a good fill-in stopgap on a one-year deal.
As for the ongoing concussion problems that have sidelined Micheal Ferland for the better part of the past 15 months, it might be in his best interest if he decides to take the year off. And in that case, this deal makes perfect sense.
According to CapFriendly, the Canucks are currently $1,501,878 over next year’s $81,500,000 million salary cap, but if Ferland were to be moved to LTIR then Vancouver would have money to spend.
Landing Hamonic would acquire the Canucks to move more cash around, but with 17 forwards already on the roster right now, it’s likely that happens anyway.
The St. Malo, Manitoba native can still be an effective defender with offensive upside and some physical toughness. He’s known to miss a few games with an injury, but he can play big minutes and be used in a shutdown role.
Looking at the Canucks blueline, it’s a tough argument whether or not they’ve gotten better this offseason. The addition of Nate Schmidt likely improves the team more than resigning Chris Tanev would have, but the question mark remains in the bottom pairing.
Troy Stecher was a very mobile defender for Vancouver, but with him moving on with Detroit, it’s a mystery whether or the Canucks have the right prospect ready to fill the role. As exciting as it is to know that young guns like Olli Juolevi, Jack Rathbone, and Brogan Rafferty could be getting their shot with the Canucks next year, it would be comforting to see Hamonic come in and be that stable veteran presence.
Besides, after everything the Calgary Flames have taken from the Canucks this offseason, wouldn’t it be nice to see them get a taste of their own medicine?
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The Canuck Way will keep you up to date as the situation unfolds… Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Happy holidays!