Player Discussion Travis Hamonic (D)

[DrEasy]

Well, he's not a RHD, so there's that. I'm not a big fan of him on his offside in any situation other than trying to make a comeback when we're down late. He's not taking Chabot or Sanderson's spot, he's not taking Zub or Jensen's spots. Kleven and JBD have actually done pretty well when paired together, so I don't know where he realistically fits.

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Right now he'd take the spot of one of JBD or Hamonic. If JBD is the better player, then sit Hamonic.

 

[Micklebot]

Right now he'd take the spot of one of JBD or Hamonic. If JBD is the better player, then sit Hamonic.

I have very little confidence in Brannstrom on his off side. He was among the most sheltered D in the league last year, and moving him to his offside just make it harder for him to deal with the heavy forchecks that he already struggles with.

 

[bicboi64]

Well, he's not a RHD, so there's that. I'm not a big fan of him on his offside in any situation other than trying to make a comeback when we're down late. He's not taking Chabot or Sanderson's spot, he's not taking Zub or Jensen's spots. Kleven and JBD have actually done pretty well when paired together, so I don't know where he realistically fits.

I'd have him as our 7th D playing his off side where he grew up playing over (2nd or 3rd pairing) instead of seeing Hamonic just treat the puck like a grenade and constantly play catch up because opposition is skating around him.

Really wish Staios just bought him out and didn't give Green the chance to play him at all. That Sanderson-Hamonic pairing was brutal last night.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I'd have him as our 7th D playing his off side where he grew up playing over (2nd or 3rd pairing) instead of seeing Hamonic just treat the puck like a grenade and constantly play catch up because opposition is skating around him.

Really wish Staios just bought him out and didn't give Green the chance to play him at all. That Sanderson-Hamonic pairing was brutal last night.

For all the Hamonic talk, Sanderson has really struggled the last 2. Has he not been directly responsible for at least 1 goal in each of the last 2?

 

[bicboi64]

For all the Hamonic talk, Sanderson has really struggled the last 2. Has he not been directly responsible for at least 1 goal in each of the last 2?

I don't know if I'd say he struggled per say. He's not been as good as he was the first few games of the season, but I don't see him losing coverage, playing catch up, or just slapping the puck wildly without trying to control the play. I think he's playing as good as he can while having an anchor on his right side.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I don't know if I'd say he struggled per say. He's not been as good as he was the first few games of the season, but I don't see him losing coverage, playing catch up, or just slapping the puck wildly without trying to control the play. I think he's playing as good as he can while having an anchor on his right side.

I just remember a couple giveaways that directly led to goals. One up the boards in the Vegas game on a misguided clearing attempt and then one right on an Avalanche's player in the game yesterday, but the free streams were in and out both games, so wasn't a smooth watching experience.

 

[Alex1234]

I don't know if I'd say he struggled per say. He's not been as good as he was the first few games of the season, but I don't see him losing coverage, playing catch up, or just slapping the puck wildly without trying to control the play. I think he's playing as good as he can while having an anchor on his right side.

He just turned 22 in July and he's matched against the toughest of the toughest opponents playing alongside a pylon
I think he's the least of our problems

 

[bicboi64]

He just turned 22 in July and he's matched against the toughest of the toughest opponents playing alongside a pylon
I think he's the least of our problems

...I didn't really say anything otherwise. I still think Sanderson is playing like a Norris level defender.

 

[HSF]

Sanderson is getting the full Chabot treatment. Young promising defensemen and playing him with an absolute anchor

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

it's annoying how thirsty this guy is for a goal. as soon as he gets it he doesn't even look at the play, just slaps it at the goalies chest. every single time.


hockey iq issue.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851361559051739268

Graeme takes a look at the numbers re Hamonic and Sanderson

 

[Tuna99]

Sending a shout out to Hamonic who has been exactly what a veteran is supposed to be, he’s done everything the coach has asked of him, he’s an all time fox hole guy, he’s had some huge shot blocks, he brings a desperation to the game that I think the Sens need more of, and he’s taken a lot of shit from the fanbase when he’s given you exactly what you’d want from him.

and on the personal side, I love how Hamonic doesn’t do social media and all that - for all the parents out there you can’t set a better example for your kids

 

[Tuna99]

To the suddenly quiet Hamonic critics:

Did he help us win the games vs Toronto and Boston, or did he just help us not lose??

Big reason he’s playing is Kleven is a big boy and Green doesn’t want Kleven to have to be the heavy for his pairing, Green doesn’t want Kleven having to stick up for JBD, they just want Kleven to focus on hockey and playing well. Hamonic telling Reeves to go f*** himself last night is the perfect example, if that’s Kleven in that situation maybe he fights and draws a penalty just from the pressure of being face to face with Reevae under the spotlight and wanting to prove yourself.

 

[bicboi64]

To the suddenly quiet Hamonic critics:

Did he help us win the games vs Toronto and Boston, or did he just help us not lose??

Big reason he’s playing is Kleven is a big boy and Green doesn’t want Kleven to have to be the heavy for his pairing, Green doesn’t want Kleven having to stick up for JBD, they just want Kleven to focus on hockey and playing well. Hamonic telling Reeves to go f*** himself last night is the perfect example, if that’s Kleven in that situation maybe he fights and draws a penalty just from the pressure of being face to face with Reevae under the spotlight and wanting to prove yourself.

Hamonic was still our worst defender the last two games. He's still slow, teams are still skating/dumping the puck towards him, and when getting the puck he makes Dion Phaneuf look like a sharp shooter this year.

He definitely helped us not lose, but that's because he played below in the lineup where he belongs which is what his critics want to see. If Zub is injured, we'd rather see JBD in the top 4 because we know what we have with Hamonic and he's not getting any better, whereas JBD still has room to grow.

 

[darude]

Hamonic was still our worst defender the last two games. He's still slow, teams are still skating/dumping the puck towards him, and when getting the puck he makes Dion Phaneuf look like a sharp shooter this year.

He definitely helped us not lose, but that's because he played below in the lineup where he belongs which is what his critics want to see. If Zub is injured, we'd rather see JBD in the top 4 because we know what we have with Hamonic and he's not getting any better, whereas JBD still has room to grow.

Harmonic at 5-7 minutes a game is perfectly serviceable. If there's an injury to the top pair tho, JBD needs to slot into that spot in his place.

 

[PlayersLtd]

Hamonic was still our worst defender the last two games. He's still slow, teams are still skating/dumping the puck towards him, and when getting the puck he makes Dion Phaneuf look like a sharp shooter this year.

He definitely helped us not lose, but that's because he played below in the lineup where he belongs which is what his critics want to see. If Zub is injured, we'd rather see JBD in the top 4 because we know what we have with Hamonic and he's not getting any better, whereas JBD still has room to grow.

JBD will grow regardless. Green is going to play the player that gives the team the best chance to win. I'm not saying that's 100% Hamonic but I am saying you don't play JBD based on his future potential, we are a win now team.

 

[Tuna99]

Hamonic was still our worst defender the last two games. He's still slow, teams are still skating/dumping the puck towards him, and when getting the puck he makes Dion Phaneuf look like a sharp shooter this year.

He definitely helped us not lose, but that's because he played below in the lineup where he belongs which is what his critics want to see. If Zub is injured, we'd rather see JBD in the top 4 because we know what we have with Hamonic and he's not getting any better, whereas JBD still has room to grow.

I’m a big Hamonic supporter but yes your post is correct someone on the team has to be the slowest and playing two/three slots above their pay grade, but that doesn’t mean as a fanbase we crap on the guy.

And Hamonic has been consistently one of our top 6 RD since we got him. He broke in Sandy, he’s played every shift like it’s his last, he’s a standup dude with all the veteran qualities you want, he’s 34 years old and he’s out there telling Ryan Reeves to go f*** himself when there are very few men in the world let alone 34 year olds who would say that to Ryan Reeves.

Get over the fact Dorion completely fumbled the trade and trade day when for no reason he said he overpaid for Hamonic, it’s like a GM saying out loud a player is overpaid. Get behind Hamonic cause if the Sens win the Cup this year he’ll have the biggest smile of all

 

[bicboi64]

I’m a big Hamonic supporter but yes your post is correct someone on the team has to be the slowest and playing two/three slots above their pay grade, but that doesn’t mean as a fanbase we crap on the guy.

And Hamonic has been consistently one of our top 6 RD since we got him. He broke in Sandy, he’s played every shift like it’s his last, he’s a standup dude with all the veteran qualities you want, he’s 34 years old and he’s out there telling Ryan Reeves to go f*** himself when there are very few men in the world let alone 34 year olds who would say that to Ryan Reeves.

I don't wish Hamonic any ill, I'm sure he's a great guy who'll smile very brightly if we win the cup this year, but its possible to acknowledge he's probably a great person, but also one of the worst defence men in the league.

Someone will always be the slowest on the dcore, but it shouldn't be noticeable in a negative way, which Hamonic absolutely is. The only value he seems to provide is telling other plugs to go eff themselves isn't worth not having JBD on the ice when he's a better hockey player that can help us win games via on ice play.

Him being a top RD for us is because our management has neglected having adequate RD depth, not because Hamonic is good at the game of hockey. He doesn't have any hustle or composure to his game because he's slowed down and is a shell of his former self.

JBD will grow regardless. Green is going to play the player that gives the team the best chance to win. I'm not saying that's 100% Hamonic but I am saying you don't play JBD based on his future potential, we are a win now team.

If I want to ice a roster that has the best chance of winning, I'm absolutely having JBD over Hamonic based on his current play alone.

 

[Micklebot]

I don't wish Hamonic any ill, I'm sure he's a great guy who'll smile very brightly if we win the cup this year, but its possible to acknowledge he's probably a great person, but also one of the worst defence men in the league.

Someone will always be the slowest on the dcore, but it shouldn't be noticeable in a negative way, which Hamonic absolutely is. The only value he seems to provide is telling other plugs to go eff themselves isn't worth not having JBD on the ice when he's a better hockey player that can help us win games via on ice play.

Him being a top RD for us is because our management has neglected having adequate RD depth, not because Hamonic is good at the game of hockey. He doesn't have any hustle or composure to his game because he's slowed down and is a shell of his former self.


If I want to ice a roster that has the best chance of winning, I'm absolutely having JBD over Hamonic based on his current play alone.

Hamonic was certainly one of the worst D last year, he's been much better this year though. That certainly doesn't mean he's suited to play with Sanderson on the top pair, far from it, but he's been fine in a bottom pair role. I'd still prefer JBD in that role with Kleven, but the hate Hamonic gets is disproportionate to his play this year imo. It's understandable, we've had years to learn to dislike his play, to the point that it's reflexive now,

 

[bicboi64]

Hamonic was certainly one of the worst D last year, he's been much better this year though. That certainly doesn't mean he's suited to play with Sanderson on the top pair, far from it, but he's been fine in a bottom pair role. I'd still prefer JBD in that role with Kleven, but the hate Hamonic gets is disproportionate to his play this year imo. It's understandable, we've had years to learn to dislike his play, to the point that it's reflexive now,

I mean its not irrational reflexive hate. Hamonic isn't a Jarko Ruutu who bites people and or something. I don't hate Hamonic, but am frustrated with his minutes considering there is a clear cut better option. With Sandy, Hamonic was slotted above where he should be playing, struggles, and then gets third pairing minutes as soon as Zub comes back. JBD players perfectly fine on the 3rd pairing with Kleven, and gets benched.

It'd be nice if players were on the roster on the merit of their play because what we're seeing here is shades of DJ with coaches having favourites. This isn't a complain to Hamonic, I don't expect the guy to go to Green and ask for less minutes, but its my only qualm with Green's coaching so far this year.

 

[coladin]

Contract year as well...he is showing that he can play another year or two by elevating his game this year

 

[Golden_Jet]

Man I got a lot of pushback this summer for saying we should buy out Hamonic and replace him with a minimum contract (which would have essentially broke even because of his age and the 2/3 BO rule). It’s crazy to look back in hindsight at how obvious it was. The only possibility I can think of is maybe that he was still injured at the time so we couldn’t perform the buyout.

Ya he wouldn’t of been healthy in June probably, with knee.

JBD wins most of the analytics, when I did a head to head on NST
One that favours Travis which is interesting is on ice save percentage
When Travis on ice 93.5%
When JBD on ice it’s 88.2%

Player Season Totals - Natural Stat Trick