Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic opts out of NHL restart

Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic opts out of NHL restart
- ToddCordellCGY

This will force one of Forbort, Gustafsson or Kylington to play the right side unless Stone draws in. Not insurmountable but not ideal either.

Surprisingly given the warrior he’s always been but it’s understandable and ya gotta respect it. It will be interesting, the Stanley cup, draft and free agency have brought new meaning to the phrase “is it October yet?”

On a side note I’m curious after so much time off due to injury what the development plan is for valimaki. Is he ready for NHL duty next season or should we start him out in the AHL to get his feet under him after missing an entire year

I get putting your family first, but it's a pretty weak excuse. The chance of Harmonic infecting his family is basically zero. Unless they're living completely off the grid and growing their own food, t's just as likely that they'll get sick at home.

I don't know if his family cares at all about money, but his decision is potentially costing them millions. His stock is pretty low right now, and a solid playoffs would bring a lot more suitors.

I get putting your family first, but it's a pretty weak excuse. The chance of Harmonic infecting his family is basically zero. Unless they're living completely off the grid and growing their own food, t's just as likely that they'll get sick at home.

I don't know if his family cares at all about money, but his decision is potentially costing them millions. His stock is pretty low right now, and a solid playoffs would bring a lot more suitors.
- Hunkulese

Do you have kids and, if you do, were you financially set for the rest of your life at 30? His risk analysis is completely different.

I get putting your family first, but it's a pretty weak excuse. The chance of Harmonic infecting his family is basically zero. Unless they're living completely off the grid and growing their own food, t's just as likely that they'll get sick at home.

I don't know if his family cares at all about money, but his decision is potentially costing them millions. His stock is pretty low right now, and a solid playoffs would bring a lot more suitors.
- Hunkulese

Lmao what an idiotic statement

I get putting your family first, but it's a pretty weak excuse. The chance of Harmonic infecting his family is basically zero. Unless they're living completely off the grid and growing their own food, t's just as likely that they'll get sick at home.

I don't know if his family cares at all about money, but his decision is potentially costing them millions. His stock is pretty low right now, and a solid playoffs would bring a lot more suitors.
- Hunkulese

Should never ever judge anyone when they are making decisions that impact their family & their own personal situation. You dont know what their situation is nor how as a family they deal with it. Right or wrong, popular or unpopular, its their family decision. Maybe family health & lives rank way higher on their priorities than money that they probably already have a significant net worth, let alone worry about a new contract in a world that we dont know what will be like come October. A 2nd wave, that is like what the US is experiencing, here in Canada changes everything.

On a hockey note, the Flames will be just fine. Good thing we acquired two Defensemen at the trade deadline. Gio/Brodie are fine, Hanifin & Andersen actually looked really good together near the end there & I have no qualms with Forbert & Gus.
Kyllington & Stone can be standby & before I put Valamaki anywhere near the roster & cause huge expansion protection issues, I would play Yelesin.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner of the MOST ignorant and short minded post of the year on Hockeybuzz.

Seriously, dude...are you that heartless to condemn someone who cares about his family, and especially about his child with a severe respiratory condition?!

Considering he's had a blood clots problem not a long time ago, I'd strongly advise Stone to stay away as well. One of the most common heavy symptoms of C19.

Sucks he will not be there but it will give us a better look to see what we have with some of the new guys.

Wish him the best.

Surprisingly given the warrior he’s always been but it’s understandable and ya gotta respect it. It will be interesting, the Stanley cup, draft and free agency have brought new meaning to the phrase “is it October yet?”

On a side note I’m curious after so much time off due to injury what the development plan is for valimaki. Is he ready for NHL duty next season or should we start him out in the AHL to get his feet under him after missing an entire year
- RedC21

Agree a year is a long time for a young developing player like Vali. He will be in training camp this summer and if we can catch lightning in a bottle he will have plenty of practice time to help him get his footing.

Should never ever judge anyone when they are making decisions that impact their family & their own personal situation. You dont know what their situation is nor how as a family they deal with it. Right or wrong, popular or unpopular, its their family decision. Maybe family health & lives rank way higher on their priorities than money that they probably already have a significant net worth, let alone worry about a new contract in a world that we dont know what will be like come October. A 2nd wave, that is like what the US is experiencing, here in Canada changes everything.

On a hockey note, the Flames will be just fine. Good thing we acquired two Defensemen at the trade deadline. Gio/Brodie are fine, Hanifin & Andersen actually looked really good together near the end there & I have no qualms with Forbert & Gus.
Kyllington & Stone can be standby & before I put Valamaki anywhere near the roster & cause huge expansion protection issues, I would play Yelesin.
- Kevin R

For sure the only ice Vali should see this summer is the bag skates with the black aces.

Agree a year is a long time for a young developing player like Vali. He will be in training camp this summer and if we can catch lightning in a bottle he will have plenty of practice time to help him get his footing.
- DEDDIE

It’s a shame, in the limited time he got he showed flashes of what I thought would be a for sure top 4, possibly top pair D but with time missing from crucial stages of development the past 3 years it’s concerning. Luckily his greatest strength was his skating and as long as that hasn’t been hindered by injuries he should at least make a decent 3rd pair D when he’s ready.

It’s a shame, in the limited time he got he showed flashes of what I thought would be a for sure top 4, possibly top pair D but with time missing from crucial stages of development the past 3 years it’s concerning. Luckily his greatest strength was his skating and as long as that hasn’t been hindered by injuries he should at least make a decent 3rd pair D when he’s ready.
- RedC21

If he can avoid being chronically injured I think he can be a top 4 maybe top 2 Dman.
The scary part is his injuries follow him back to his 3 years at Tri City.
Fingers crossed for him!

I get putting your family first, but it's a pretty weak excuse. The chance of Harmonic infecting his family is basically zero. Unless they're living completely off the grid and growing their own food, t's just as likely that they'll get sick at home.

I don't know if his family cares at all about money, but his decision is potentially costing them millions. His stock is pretty low right now, and a solid playoffs would bring a lot more suitors.
- Hunkulese

Hamonic’s daughter was in the hospital for a week last year for a respiratory illness. That’s a very traumatic experience for a parent, he has every right to be very concerned as that’s something he’s likely terrified of experiencing again. At the end of the day they’re people just as much as you and me and I would be shocked if there isn’t anyone that you know that isn’t overly cautious about this out of fear. I live in an rural area that barely got hit yet I know many people that were afraid to leave their homes. While I had no qualms about showing up for my shift or going out there was people I work with that went out of their way to do whatever they could to protect themselves and their families. There were people I didn’t change the way I interacted with because we were of the same mindset and then there’s people you just gotta respect their boundaries when it comes to this

If he can avoid being chronically injured I think he can be a top 4 maybe top 2 Dman.
The scary part is his injuries follow him back to his 3 years at Tri City.
Fingers crossed for him!
- DEDDIE

I agree, assuming our FA’s walk I would like to see us start next year with kylington at 3D, Vali in the minors and see how that goes.

I find it interesting as well that Kinnvall doesn’t seem to be getting any love for the 3rd RD spot. He’ll be on a cheap elc, is still only 22 and is coming of a stellar year in the SHL

I agree, assuming our FA’s walk I would like to see us start next year with kylington at 3D, Vali in the minors and see how that goes.

I find it interesting as well that Kinnvall doesn’t seem to be getting any love for the 3rd RD spot. He’ll be on a cheap elc, is still only 22 and is coming of a stellar year in the SHL
- RedC21

Dont know much about Kinnvall but yes he has not been news since he signed.

Is Kinnvall even coming to camp next week? I don't think so.

With a flat cap next year, it's likely our 5,6,7 D men are some combination of Kylington, Vali, Yelesin, Valiev, Mackey or yes maybe Kinnvall.

Lmao what an idiotic statement
- gerbe75pts

Agreed

Good for him!! I remember him losing his father at a young age devastated him. Hes just protecting his family!!

Dont know much about Kinnvall but yes he has not been news since he signed.

Is Kinnvall even coming to camp next week? I don't think so.

With a flat cap next year, it's likely our 5,6,7 D men are some combination of Kylington, Vali, Yelesin, Valiev, Mackey or yes maybe Kinnvall.
- DEDDIE

I don’t think his contract kicks in until next season but I could be wrong though. It does seem that the budget will be cut on our third pair D, I would like to see if we could bring back forbort for around a million but I’m not sure what his camp will be expecting

I don’t think his contract kicks in until next season but I could be wrong though. It does seem that the budget will be cut on our third pair D, I would like to see if we could bring back forbort for around a million but I’m not sure what his camp will be expecting
- RedC21

100% if he signs for that even 1 x 1.5 would be a good deal for us. He is an earth mover we don't really have in our system. The 2021 4th we give the kings becomes a 3rd though if we re sign him.

Good on him for doing what he thinks is best for he and his family.

It takes some big brass ones to do this in the face of the amount of pressure he'd be under to not pull out, and him doing it will make it an easier thing for other players who don't want to risk this but aren't comfortable telling their team "no."

While the player has EVERY RIGHT to opt out, how does the fan base feel about Harmonic bailing? I am hoping no Penguin opts to, and as I said...their right...I would be torn on my feelings...I think.

I had a feeling someone would post something critical of this decision. If you have no children it may be difficult to understand. He's been playing long enough that money isn't a huge priority for him or his family. I'm sure any anguish he went through in coming to this conclusion involved letting down his teammates and the teams fans. Whatever his underlying numbers might be, he should make out alright as a UFA.

While the player has EVERY RIGHT to opt out, how does the fan base feel about Harmonic bailing? I am hoping no Penguin opts to, and as I said...their right...I would be torn on my feelings...I think.
- Doogs

I’m not upset about it at all really, he missed 20 games to injury and when he was healthy he wasn’t having a great year either. It would also sting a bit more if we hadn’t picked up Gustafson and forbort at the deadline, so as of now I don’t really have any concerns with our defence (at least out of the ordinary).