Why Hasn’t Travis Hamonic Signed Yet in Free Agency?

There are some big names still on the board in this year’s NHL free agency class. At the same time a lot of big names have been plucked off the Top 50 list. One of the names many expected to go early, but who hasn’t gone yet is defenseman Travis Hamonic. Why?

There’s no easy answer to that question and most insiders seem baffled when asked the question. Brian Burke simply said, “I don’t know” when asked during a radio interview on Sportsnet’s Boomer in the Morning show. Other hockey analysts seem just as a baffled.

The easy answer is that better defenseman were scooped up quickly. But, Hamonic is not a bad defenseman. In many ways, he’s somewhat like Chris Tanev who got a good deal in Calgary where it appears Hamonic will be leaving. While perhaps not as skilled, Hamonic offers a lot of the same attributes.

Is it cost? Is it a willingness to play in certain cities? It is attitude? What has kept Hamonic from being picked up?

The longer he waits, the more likely he’s able to get as an unrestricted free agent on the open market. The Canucks are said to be interested and the Winnipeg Jets seem like a natural fit, but there’s not been much in the way of talk surrounding the player.