In a bizarre scenario in Vancouver, NHL trade rumors are circulating that Travis Hamonic will not be joining the Vancouver Canucks. It is not known if he will opt-out for the season, or has asked for a trade.
Rob Simpson of Vancouver Hockey Now reports a source close to Hamonic says the Vancouver defenceman would now prefer playing in a US market & the club is considering a trade. More games would be available without cross-border travel. Report is Hamonic is not vaxed. Ironic, considering his earlier career desires to move North.
Simpson went on to say, lack of vaccination and family matters are apparently the issue here. Hamonic did sign a two-year $6 million deal in July with the Canucks which makes this situation very odd.
If Hamonic does not change his mind in the next few days, the Canucks have likely lost their top-pair right defenseman. The good news they will have extra cap space to sign Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. But in all seriousness, who will replace Hamonic? This will be a big blow to the defensive corps of the Canucks.
What they Canucks can do if Travis Hamonic opts-out for the season
1) if he decides to opt out, it is irreversible for the season.
2) $3-million frees up in salary cap space
3) nothing prohibits the Canucks from trading that contract at any time, even while the player is sitting out. There’s no deadline to unload him
