One year ago, Travis Hamonic and Jacob Bernard-Docker were jostling for position on the right side of Ottawa’s blue line. Both were hoping to cement a role in the bottom pairing alongside Tyler Kleven. But by the time the March trade deadline rolled around, the full-time spot had been won by surprise American Hockey League call-up Nikolas Matinpalo.
Hamonic was the odd man out, getting a lot of press box time down the stretch, while JBD was out completely, traded at the deadline to the Buffalo Sabres.
Fast forward to today, and the two former Senators are back on the same side, this time wearing the winged wheel. The Detroit Red Wings have signed Hamonic to a one-year, $1 million deal, reuniting him with Bernard-Docker, who also inked a one-year free agent contract with Detroit earlier this summer.
Last season was a turbulent one for both players. Bernard-Docker overcame a serious leg injury at practice early in the season and thought he might find a new opportunity with the Sabres. But they healthy-scratched him for over two weeks after he arrived. He played the final 15 games in Buffalo, but the Sabres chose not to re-sign him.
Hamonic did a bit of everything here last season. He started in the bottom pair, then got some top-four minutes after an early injury to Artem Zub. Hamonic had more healthy scratches than any veteran pro would like, but he always made himself available to the team's young defenders, particularly during the rookie seasons of Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven.
It quickly became clear after the Senators’ 2024-25 season ended that Hamonic wouldn’t be part of the club’s future plans. The team immediately re-signed Matinpalo to a two-year deal, brought former first-rounder Lassi Thomson back from Sweden, and traded for L.A. Kings defenseman Jordan Spence at the draft. With that logjam on the right side, including former first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk pressing for NHL work, Hamonic’s exit was inevitable.
'Plan B': Ottawa Senators Owner Signs Three-Year AHL Extension With City Of BellevilleOttawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and the City of Belleville have confirmed a three-year lease extension to at least the end of the 2029-2030 season. In effect, since Andlauer owns both versions of the Senators, the extension also applies to the NHL-AHL affiliation between the two clubs.
When asked about his season at the year-end media availability in May, the classy veteran took the high road and didn't dwell on any of the negatives.
"I just, quite frankly, tried to do whatever was needed from me and whatever was asked," Hamonic said. "And I kind of played a little bit of everything this year, I think, a little bit of different roles here and there. And just tried to do that as best I could and have as much fun as I could with it. Because we are blessed to play this game and do what I do for a living.
"So I just tried to show up with a smile on my face and let the chips fall where they may every day."
It's not remotely a stretch to suggest that Hamonic fell out of favour with parts of the Ottawa fan base and faced some pointed criticism, which he openly addressed when asked about it in his final session with the local media.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and it is what it is. Early on in my career, I was told that you're never as good as they say you are and you're never as bad as they say you are. I was showing up every day and putting my head down and just going to work and doing whatever I could.
Senators Announce French Radio Broadcast Rights, Will TSN 1200 Renew English Rights?The Ottawa Senators have a new French radio partner. They announced today that 104.7 FM Outaouais will carry games in French for the coming season. It's a three-year deal that includes all pre-season, regular season and post-season games.
"The people that didn't like my play or don't like me, or whatever the case may be, they're part of our fan base too. And I went out there and put that jersey on for three and a half years and played my butt off for that fan base. I would have done whatever I had to do.
"They're allowed their opinion but I try to choose more positivity than the negativity, and I don't necessarily sense a good reason to knock people down all the time. I don't get that. But it is what it is."
Hamonic, who turns 35 on Saturday, also made no secret of the fact that he and his family loved living in Ottawa and that he fully intended to keep the door open to continuing his NHL career.
He now heads for Motown after three and a half seasons in the capital, posting a combined 37 points in 201 games for the Senators. Known for his shot-blocking, work ethic, and leadership, he brought a veteran presence to the Sens room with over 900 career NHL games with the Islanders, Flames, Canucks, and Senators.
But with Claude Giroux, David Perron, Lars Eller, and Nick Jensen, the Sens have probably filled their roster quota in the veteran, 35 and over category.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa
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