Red Wings signed another bottom pairing D
Detroit heads into the NHL season with a lot of gaps on the roster. There is a lot of hope that prospects like Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard can overperform expectations. Hope, unfortunately, is not a sound strategy in professional sports.
With that in mind, Detroit’s acquisition of veteran defenseman Travis Hamonicseems a curious one. The Red Wings have a glut of bottom pairing defensemen, and that is the likely destination for Hamonic. For a team that badly needs higher caliber talent, adding more depth seems to be a questionable move.
Is there a trade or buyout on the horizon?
The potential upside of this signing would lie in the organization being able to move on from an underperforming veteran. Justin Holl would be the first player to come to mind. Holl is in the final year of his contract and his play has been underwhelming. Even so, if the team has found a way to move on from Holl early this may at least be a break even proposition.
Without another transaction attached to this, it is frustrating to see the organization continue to add the pool of bottom pairing defensemen. The upcoming season will be challenging, and it is always possible Yzerman could be filling Grand Rapids via waivers for inevitable call ups due to injury. This signing, on its own, makes little sense in light of what this team really needs to add.
Yzerman may be running out of time
More than anything, a signing like this adds fuel to the idea that the rebuild may be headed in the wrong direction. There have been discussions regarding the unwillingness of high level free agents to sign in Detroit. The summer is quickly coming to an end, and it doesn’t look like any help is coming to Hockeytown.
The Red Wings roster at this point is no better than a roster that failed to make the post season last year. A seventh straight miss in the Yzerplan era, and tenth overall, could and should lead to significant changes. Fans can only hope that “The Captain” has one last trick up his sleeve before the puck drops for the 2025-2026 season.
A very under whelming signing. Y has not improved the defense for the 2nd summer in a row! I am beginning to wonder if he really did much in Tampa???????
I won’t take away from his work in Tampa. Very different scenario. Had Stamkos waiting. Could move St Louis and get Callahan. That roster still has his finger prints all over it. The biggest issue i have is the free agent signings. They just seem (except for Kane right now) to be really bad. Luckily something has to give with half the D expiring this year.
Yeah, this is one of those “Huh?” moments. TH is a character guy from all I’ve read. Welp, ‘character’ and $1 gets you cup of coffe (on the Dollar Menue, which seems to be the only menu being used…).
With all of the UFA-NOT-INTERESTED talk and these moves, either there’s a huge bump coming from the rookies, or there’s some serious managerial issues. Honestly, probably a bit of both. We have some stud kids that in 2yrs may be the talk of the town. But, there’s something we fans aren’t privvy to, some sort of negative impression of The Captain in the eyes of players across the league. Is it just that we’re in such a drought? Is The Captain a meanie to players? Surely if he was mean, word would’ve leaked by now. I mean Little Bert seems like a kid that would spill the beans, maybe Hronek as well.
Regardless, we have GOT to win. This is getting old. And when I say ‘win’, I’m not talkin’ SCPO for 2-3yrs. I’m talking odds-makers drooling every year.
Something has to give. Fast.
The only insight we’ve gotten was Patrick Kane speaking out to defend Larkin. There was a corresponding rumor that Larkin got dressed down in front of the locker room by the GM. Years ago, there was some sort of tension with St. Louis and Yzerman but not sure if it’s carry over from playing days. Regardless, the way this team is built this year they haven’t moved ahead of the 5 teams that beat them last season. Tampa, Florida, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa all look poised to be ahead in the standings unless major injury or something bizarre happens. The biggest hope is for a kid to break out, as you insinuated. At this moment, if I had to make a “bet”, Detroit misses the post season again. Man I hope I’m wrong. Stevie Y has a couple of weeks to pull off a miracle deal.
St. Louis demanded a trade to NYR because Y would not name him to the Olympic team! You did not see DeBrincat or Hutson invited to this year’s camp! Cat has outscored most of the wingers that were invited!
I was surprised at Debrincat not being on the list. With St. Louis, he for sure had some issues w Yzerman. Beyond Olympic stuff at least from what I’d heard. There are a lot of hurt feelings around “snubs”. Good to see you!