[News] Hamonic opts out of Return to Play

[Crown Royal]

Poppa Hamonic looking out for his baby girl, I have nothing but respect for that decision.

Unlike some others, I'm still a fan of his and believe this is a pretty big loss to the team.

[ignite09]

I wish more of us were able too walk away from our jobs to take care of our family. Harmonic did what he should have, I just hope he understands how fortunate he is to not have to choose between money, and family. My work place is permanently closing in the next month because the current situation. We have literally had employees abandon shifts because of stress. We have all been affected, it's just that most of us aren't sitting on a million dollar safety net right now.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by ignite09

I wish more of us were able too walk away from our jobs to take care of our family. Harmonic did what he should have, I just hope he understands how fortunate he is to not have to choose between money, and family. My work place is permanently closing in the next month because the current situation. We have literally had employees abandon shifts because of stress. We have all been affected, it's just that most of us aren't sitting on a million dollar safety net right now.

Considering what the Hamonic family went through when his dad died, Hammer absolutely knows how fortunate he is to be able to make this decision. All the good Hammer does in the community is based on how fortunate he knows he is and he wants to pay it forward.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Meh no loss.

I dunno man, a healthy hammer is a good thing in every situation...including playoff hockey

[btimbit]

I wouldn't want to spend several weeks in Edmonton either

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by ignite09

I wish more of us were able too walk away from our jobs to take care of our family. Harmonic did what he should have, I just hope he understands how fortunate he is to not have to choose between money, and family. My work place is permanently closing in the next month because the current situation. We have literally had employees abandon shifts because of stress. We have all been affected, it's just that most of us aren't sitting on a million dollar safety net right now.

I hate reading stuff like this from fans. It kind of comes across as “poor me” and also gives the impression like NHL players are lucky to have millions. Well they are lucky but it's not like it was given to them. They are the best of the best because they were born freakishly good at hockey plus had the work ethic to practice and perfect their talent throughout their lives.

Plus I feel Harmonic has crap luck. Even on the ice he is always getting hurt let alone his personal life.

No reason to shame someone for choosing family over sport.

[Manhattanboy]

I blame China.

[ForeverFlameFan]

A true warrior who put out his heart and soul whenever he played. He wore the Flaming C with pride.

We may have seen our last game with Hamonic on the squad, but family always comes first. Thanks for the good memories, Hamonic. Good luck on your future endeavors. You'll always be a liked Flame in my eyes.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

I hate reading stuff like this from fans. It kind of comes across as “poor me” and also gives the impression like NHL players are lucky to have millions. Well they are lucky but it's not like it was given to them. They are the best of the best because they were born freakishly good at hockey plus had the work ethic to practice and perfect their talent throughout their lives.

Plus I feel Harmonic has crap luck. Even on the ice he is always getting hurt let alone his personal life.

No reason to shame someone for choosing family over sport.

You hate reading that I wish more people had these kind of options? That offends your sensibilities? Things are rough out there for a lot of people right now, Hamonic has the option to choose his family over career. I'm not going to apologize to you for my frustration that I know a lot of people who live paycheck to paycheck wishing they had that avenue available too them. Simple frustration at a difficult time.

[Yoho]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1281898696615948291

[GranteedEV]

Sounds like a win-win for the player and the team. Hamonic gets to keep his daughter safe and Calgary gets to ice its best defensemen for the first time all season.

[Poe969]

Sven won't show up...what else is new?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Sven won't show up...what else is new?

Stop with the low blows everyone.

I'm surprised ANY of these guys are deciding to return to play. There's a LOT of risk still even in these bubbles, so it shouldn't be considered such an automatic to play in these circumstances.

All the best to Sven. I wonder what his next move is for his career. He was relegated to the minors this year, and even though he has a year remaining on his contract, I wonder if he finds a better option playing in Europe next year.

[OutOfTheCube]

I could see it reflecting badly on players going into contract negotiations or guys that are more fringe type players. No one says that it will, but it will.

[bluejays]

He did what he had to do for his family, so it can't be taken badly. As a third dman he would've been useful for the playoffs, so it's too bad.


On the original trade, I was personally pissed Treliving made that deal. Hamonic was always a good player, but the media hyped him up so much that year to make him a household name every team had to have. To give up a 1st and 2 2nds still pisses me off - not at the outcome, but for what he was at the time - just a solid dman who could move it out of his zone. The outcome is the outcome, but that's one deal where Treliving bought into the hype when that price was ridiculous. If there was no media around the guy at the time, maybe a couple 2nd rounders would be the price, but the 1st was Treliving needing to make the big splash.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by fleury

He did what he had to do for his family, so it can't be taken badly. As a third dman he would've been useful for the playoffs, so it's too bad.


On the original trade, I was personally pissed Treliving made that deal. Hamonic was always a good player, but the media hyped him up so much that year to make him a household name every team had to have. To give up a 1st and 2 2nds still pisses me off - not at the outcome, but for what he was at the time - just a solid dman who could move it out of his zone. The outcome is the outcome, but that's one deal where Treliving bought into the hype when that price was ridiculous. If there was no media around the guy at the time, maybe a couple 2nd rounders would be the price, but the 1st was Treliving needing to make the big splash.

And best Edmonton to the punch . I believe this was a deal where we got caught up in not allowing a rival to get a player and outbidding them. Never a good way to do business

[EVERLAST]

Travis. Thanks for all you've done defending your team mates.
Representing the team in the community . Glad you wore red and most of all showed what a father does when his family needs him.

God.bless.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by Yoho

https://twitter.com/user/status/1281898696615948291

I could see more fringe guys like Sven opting out now that I think about it. All the the risk just to potentially sit in the press box. I can see why that wouldn't be worth the risk.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I could see it reflecting badly on players going into contract negotiations or guys that are more fringe type players. No one says that it will, but it will.

I agree to a point. I think that if a player opts out for a really good reason, GMs will understand and it will not reflect poorly on them. But if it is felt there isn't a good reason, it will be held against them.

Hammer is a guy who I believe it won't reflect poorly on when it comes to negotiating a new deal because his reason is one anyone can understand.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Crown Royal

I could see more fringe guys like Sven opting out now that I think about it. All the the risk just to potentially sit in the press box. I can see why that wouldn't be worth the risk.

I’m speculating but Sven was dispatched to the minors and probably didn’t like it. Was shopped by Benning for weeks with no takers because of his contract. He probably wants nothing to do with the Canucks at this point, let alone going to Edmonton to sit in the press box.

Not sure if there are other “disgruntled” players in the same boat but Sven opting out doesn’t surprise me: https://theprovince.com/sports/hocke...sven-baertschi