The Vancouver Canucks have traded defenceman Travis Hamonic to the Ottawa Senators. In return, the Canucks get a 2022 third-round pick. This pick actually happens to be their own. It was originally moved to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nate Schmidt. However, Vegas flipped it with Nick Holden for Evgenii Dadonov. This Vancouver Canucks trade moves out $3 million in salary both this season and next.
Travis Hamonic has been traded to Ottawa. Details to follow.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 20, 2022
Vancouver Canucks Trade Hamonic
It is a bit of a puzzling move to see Ottawa buy at the deadline. However, they clearly feel Hamonic will help them down the stretch and into next season. This year is a writeoff for Ottawa. Inconsistency, COVID, and injuries have derailed their year. However, acquiring Hamonic now still is a bit confusing.
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For one, Vancouver is extremely close to the cap this summer and has some big players to sign. Giving up an asset to willingly help them out now when you likely could have pressured them later is strange. Secondly, that player they need to sign is Brock Boeser. Boeser is the exact type of winger Ottawa should be looking for from teams that can’t afford him. Kevin Fiala is another name that fits that boat this summer too. Regardless, Ottawa now gave up an asset and helped Vancouver find the money for Boeser.
In Hamonic, the Sens will be getting a veteran defenceman who doesn’t bring much more than leadership and physicality to the table at this point in his career. He doesn’t drive play and his defensive metrics aren’t anything to write home about either. Hamonic will likely replace Josh Brown, who is expected to be traded, on Ottawa’s third pair going forward.
Going Forward
As mentioned, this is a huge deal for Vancouver. Getting the pick back is nice, but moving Hamonic’s money off the books gives them some more freedom this summer. Look for the Canucks to keep selling some pieces by the deadline tomorrow. Ottawa should be expected to do the same, but as they showed here, nothing is a guarantee.
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