Canucks expect ex-Flames defenceman Travis Hamonic to turn tryout into a roster spot
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The Province Hockey
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Hamonic can be a physical down-low presence, block shots, aide penalty kill as third-pairing fit. That summation from those who watch Travis Hamonic go about his NHL business only adds to what the Vancouver Canucks believe the veteran unrestricted free-agent defenceman can provide as a third-pairing, right-shot roster fit. He has signed a professional tryout contract and was en route from Winnipeg to Vancouver on Sunday to start the NHL-mandated seven-day quarantine for players flying commercial between provinces. He has played a lot of hard minutes that go unnoticed, and with the schedule, you’re going to need depth,” Canucks coach Travis Green said of the 30-year-old St. Malo, Man.
The veteran of 637 regular season games with the New York Islanders and Flames won’t wow you with puck-moving pace. He had but 12 points (3-9) in 50 games last season and only has 188 career points (37-151) to go with 591 penalty minutes.
However, Hamonic can also be a physical down-low presence and a history of blocking shots — his 110 last season in 50 games were second on the Flames to Mark Giordano’s club-leading 148 — will replace Tanev’s willingness to fall in front of pucks. And Hamonic was on the top pairing for Calgary’s eighth-ranked penalty kill, so he’ll take pressure off newcomer Nate Schmidt to function in that capacity and concentrate on offence.
The veteran of 637 regular season games with the New York Islanders and Flames won’t wow you with puck-moving pace. He had but 12 points (3-9) in 50 games last season and only has 188 career points (37-151) to go with 591 penalty minutes.
However, Hamonic can also be a physical down-low presence and a history of blocking shots — his 110 last season in 50 games were second on the Flames to Mark Giordano’s club-leading 148 — will replace Tanev’s willingness to fall in front of pucks. And Hamonic was on the top pairing for Calgary’s eighth-ranked penalty kill, so he’ll take pressure off newcomer Nate Schmidt to function in that capacity and concentrate on offence.