New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic has requested a trade to a Western Canadian NHL team. Read on for the latest.
Travis Hamonic has requested a trade, but finding the right destination isn’t easy.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman broke the story yesterday that the New York Islanders are trying to move defenseman Travis Hamonic, who requested a trade last summer for personal reasons. His preference is to be dealt to a Western Canadian team and the Isles are trying to accommodate his request. Sources denied Hamonic was unhappy over the club’s recent move to Brooklyn. Hamonic, his agent Kevin Epp and Isles GM Garth Snow have not yet commented on this. Friedman also cites sources claiming Snow wants an equal-level player in return and isn’t interested in draft picks or prospects.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Hamonic, a native of St. Malo, Manitoba, would prefer to be moved closer to home. The Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks are his preferred destinations, though his list could be expanded to include other Western clubs. Hamonic is in the third season of a seven-year, $27 million contract.
NEWSDAY: Arthur Staple reports Hamonic’s preference would be Winnipeg or another Western Canadian NHL city, but there’s no assurances Snow will be able to find the right fit or even make a deal this season. Staple observes the Jets have two appealing right-handed shots in Dustin Byfuglien and Jacob Trouba, but the former is a UFA next summer while the latter isn’t as developed as Hamonic. A source said Snow doesn’t intend to just give Hamonic away and wants an established top-four defenseman, not draft picks and prospects.
WINNIPEG SUN: Ken Wiebe reports the Jets could be the logical landing spot for Hamonic. While Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is believed in the market for a forward, Hamonic’s availability has to pique his interest. Wiebe notes the Jets have blueline depth to draw upon, but it remains to be seen if they’re willing to make a pitch or what their offer could be.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes the Oilers would be very interested in Hamonic. While Oilers GM Peter Chiarellia has a recent trade history with Snow, return could be an issue. The Oilers aren’t parting with Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse, plus they signed Andrej Sekera to a six-year deal this summer. That leaves Justin Schultz, but he’s currently sidelined with a bulging disc in his back. As for the other Western Canadian clubs, Matheson wonders if the Jets might offer up Tyler Myers, the Calgary Flames Dougie Hamilton or the Vancouver Canucks Chris Tanev for Hamonic. He also wondered if the Isles might ask for winger Jordan Eberle for Hamonic, though that wouldn’t address the latter’s absence from their blueline.
CALGARY SUN: Eric Francis believes Hamonic would be a good fit with the Flames, suggesting they offer up Dennis Wideman or Kris Russell.
THE PROVINCE: Jason Botchford doubts the Islanders will be interested in Canucks veteran defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who’s eligible for UFA status in July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hamonic story dominated the NHL rumor mill last night. There’s lots to like about his game. He logs big minutes and is the Isles top shutdown blueliner. He can also chip in offensively, with 33 points in 71 games last season. His contract is an affordable $3.875 million per season, which fits in well long-term for all the aforementioned clubs, and at 25 he’s got lots of prime years ahead of him. The only downside is his injury history, which is attributable to his style of play. The problem, of course, is finding the right fit. I think the Isles will not just want a top-four defenseman in return, but also one with term on his contract.
The Jets have plenty of depth from their blueline to draw from. Unless the Isles get assurances from the Byfuglien camp that he’s willing to re-sign with them, I don’t see Big Buff being part of this. I also don’t believe the Jets will part with Trouba, who’s got lots of upside, or Myers, who they acquired last season from Buffalo. Tobias Enstrom is a possibility, but he’s 31 and his offensive numbers have declined in recent years.
The Oilers would love to land Hamonic, but it’s going to cost Klefbom or Nurse, and they won’t move those guys. I don’t see the Isles having interest in Sekera or Schultz. They’re are also loaded with scoring wingers, so adding Eberle or Nail Yakupov won’t fill the big gap Hamonic’s departure would leave on their defense.
I can’t see the Isles having interest in Wideman, who would have to agree to waive his no-movement clause. Russell’s a possibility, but he’s a UFA next summer. In my opinion, Russell isn’t an adequate replacement for Hamonic. I also don’t think the Islanders are keep to take on Hamilton’s big contract. As for the Canucks, unless they’re willing to give up Alex Edler, I don’t see a fit there.
On last night’s Face Off Hockey Show, we discussed the Minnesota Wild as an option. They’re deep in defensemen, but with promising Mike Reilly and Gustav Olofsson waiting in the wings, Hamonic probably isn’t a fit there. The Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes could use Hamonic. That could mean the Avs part with Tyson Barrie, while the Coyotes lack a comparable player to send back to the Isles.
To sum up, I don’t doubt the four Western Canadian teams are very interested in Hamonic. Considering he made his trade request before the start of the season, finding the right fit hasn’t been easy. The Islanders are trying to accommodate Hamonic, but they’re obviously not rushing into a deal here. It could take until next summer to get a deal done.
What a star player wanting to play closer to home in Canada??? Inconceivable…
…and going from a good team like the Islanders to likely not a good team right now.? Preposterous
Shticky what your missing is that there is personal reasons why he wants to be closer to home. Which he said he’ll inform his teammates today. Maybe by the end of the day we’ll know the reason why. This also has to be a precaution to any team acquiring him; depending on the personal reason, you have to wonder where his head is, I mean distraction by that comment.
Trouba had a fantastic breakout season but has been in a slow but steady decline since. He’s invisible on many nights and seems to lack passion and /or conditioning to do more. He’s careless with the puck in his own end often cutting in front of his own net to carry it out rather than focus on team breakout. I hope he has an upside but I haven’t seen it in the last 2 years….some time but with Gary Roberts would be good
..and doesnt Hammonic have a partial ntc cant see why Arizona would matter its nearly 4000 km from home?
Dripping, sanctimonious sarcasm aside, Shticky, why don’t you come right out and say what’s on your mind.
lol youre right George I apologize …but I can hardly be the only one accused of these atrocities here.
How about the Blackhawks sending a Daley, Teravainen and Bickell (discard) for Harmonic and Matt Martin?
This trade request may be tied to be able to get home to Manitoba easily due to a loved one’s illness…and that was why there were actually limited destinations requested, so Chicago or any team NOT on the that list may actually exclude him moving anywhere.
Have you looked at a map lately? He wants to play closer to home. And Chicago is pretty far from home
I assume Shticky is referring to Stamkos going to Toronto which has nothing to do with Hamonic if he wants to be closer to home because of the illness of a family member. Every story on here is always hijacked by Leafs fans.
Actually biscuit it has more to do woth how quickly things get dismissed, and gawfawed at no matter the reason when discussing certain things….Canadian teams trades players wanting to play closer to home no matter their name…it dosent happen much but does happen and when ever its brought up some seem to make it seem like players are robots programed to only want lower taxes and Stanley cups..
I am guessing that it gets dismissed because ever available player over the last 15+ years has been rumored to be going to the Leafs by the Toronto media. I remember hearing, not too long ago, how Tavares wasn’t going to resign so he can force his way back to Toronto. You can only cry wolf so many times before people stop listening.
And this is where things get hijacked by the Leafs…I havent mentioned them. I am refering to Canadidan players wanting to play in Canada or at least players wanting to play closer to home…the why would anyone want to play in Edmonton Calgary or Winnipeg arguements we see here alpst daily…yes Leafsare part of that too but its much more than that…the people who often hijack these threads arent Leaf fans its people assuming someone is going to bring up the Leafs.
The big difference is, Hamonic has asked to be traded “to a Western Canadian team” for personal reasons and, even though he’s from Manitoba, didn’t single out the Jets. Someone like Stamkos hasn’t asked to be traded anywhere so speculation in his case is more in the nature of wishful thinking.
I’ve got to believe his lersonal reasons r very private indeed. The guy is good n his quality doesn’t hit the market often.
Luv to him in Vancouver.
A trade n sign Hamhuis plus is the min i see happenin.
Maybe a deal involving Myers makes sense as it would give the Jets a little over 1.6 a year in the cap relief which they apparently need to resign Ladd? I think it is highly unlikely that Hamilton gets moved after Calgary traded for him and then extended him.
With the way Hamilton’s been performing this year in Calgary, I’m not sure I’d be in any hurry to trade for him.
I agree George. I see Hamilton as highly overrated but with alot of potential.
Are you serious? It’s because Hamonic is a good, all-round defenceman and Schenn is hot garbage. IS that a good enough answer for you?
Nicely played, Canadian King.
Would the Islander take Byfuglien without a guarantee of resigning; hoping that they’ll be able to resign him; as Snow did with Leddy and Boychuck, the latter was suppose to resign with the Bruins, but didn’t.
I’d sure as hell take the chance if I were Snow. a Byfuglien on that team could very well tip the scales in their direction.
Buff would tip the scales where ever he went 🙂 Not sure I’d want him in the locker room for the Isles but he sure would bring something they don’t currently have on the ice.
Caper, I would say probably not. Remember that the Snow did not give up one roster player for Leddy or Boychuk and Leddy was restricted so resigning Leddy was almost a guarantee. Boychuk was the risk but they gave up picks for him. Not a core player.
Atomic Biscuit, fair point. I just love Buffs game, I think he would bring the Islanders to a whole new level. But don’t just want him for this season.
Caper, I agree on both points
I can’t tell is this is sarcasm. Hamonic is a top four on a good defense, while Schenn would be a scratch.
Isle should go big in the deal and move Harmonic and Okposo to the Jets for Byfuglien, Stafford or Burmistov and either one of the young Jet’s goalies or Joel Armia or JAck Roslovic
HUESKEE, if the Jets can’t sign Buff and need to free up money for Ladd then I don’t see how acquiring Okposo makes sense for them. Also, I don’t see Snow looking to shake up the entire roster right now. If the Islanders are a playoff team then it is not out of the question that they could keep Okposo and let him go for nothing at the end of the year.
. . . if they did go with a bigger deal then the Oilers would probably a more likely trade partner with all their forwards.
What I want to know is would Hamonic expand is list to all of Canada vs. Western Canada? Both the Leafs and Senators would have a lot of use for a player like Hamonic. The Leafs in particular could offer up Jake Gardiner (obviously it would take a little bit more). Would you trade JVR for Hamonic?
As for Ottawa, could they part with Marc Methot? They obviously would offer up Wiercoch or Cowen but neither one of those players is adequate enough to get a deal done?
It’s not everyday a Top 2 right handed dman becomes available.
Not sure that Gardner is the answer to this at all, even as apart of a package. I prefer some of the AHL D the Isles have over Gardner (Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield for example).
I wonder if both Schultz and Eberle would interest Snow? Both Frans Nielsen and Okposo are UFA’s after this season, and Okposo will want a big raise.
The guy wants to be closer to his mom who is dealing with Cancer.
If Hamonic wants Winnipeg then maybe the trade widens to 3 team deal , very hard to do during season, OR Hamonic , Okposo and 3rd round pick for Byfuglien and Wheeler. I am not a fan of either club but it could be interesting if Winnipeg sees a need to get Dusty off the books and replace him with a cheap , albeit not as dominant d’man , and Okposo and Wheeler bring assets to both clubs in diferent waysand cap structure impact. Okposo could leave as UFA and so could Byfuglien.
I don’t think moving Klembom or Nurse for an established shutdown defenseman is a bad idea at all. Sure both players might have the potential to become better overall players, but it is never a sure thing that young players will meet that potential or even become as good as Hamonic. Hamonic is already established and can play the shutdown role with upside and help the Oilers today and the next 4 years.
The Oilers can’t be developing forever.
Snow should take the risk on Buff and snag something (prospect, picks) as insurance in case Buff won’t resign. Buff is a force and puts Isles into SC contender sphere.
As a Nucks fan however, I’d love to see Edler shipped off + extra parts Van needs to send to even up the trade. Despite being a lefty, Edler has term with decent cap hit.
How about a 3 way trade?
Hamonic to the oilers
Eberle to the Habs
Tinordi and Gilbert to the isles?
Tinordi? Seriously? Guy hasn’t been right since he got his ticket punched and the Habs are almost ready to give up on him. He’s not developing and looks like a bust, who’s the lucky Shmoe that gets him?
Have to say as an Isles fan this blows major chunks. Why can’t we have nice things? Hamonic is an incredibly steady, hard nosed D man with incredible character. Signed to a more than reasonable deal because he was willing to put the team first and didn’t feel he needed to break the bank as he put it. There is no way they get back anything close to what they are losing here. The combination of skill, age, experience, character, and contract just isn’t that common.
I’m surprised someone hasn’t suggested Pheneuf yet cause he lines up at a position that looks like defence before the puck gets dropped.
There’s no point making a trade one D for another So Isles will have a hard time unless they get a D back of comparible skill and who’s going to do that plus Harmonic is reasonably priced and still has years left on a low contract. So you can rule out Byfulgen he’s almost finished his contract and will want maybe $7 million ( double Harmonic) Trying to find a clone for Harmonic at his price is almost impossible
Did you read the entire post, flamer?
And it doesn’t look like any of his chosen destinations want to give a defender up, as in real top five defender…
I’m curious as to why Vancouver is considered close to home. I regularly fly Winnipeg to Ottawa, my next flight is mid December. It’s 2 1/2 to 3 hrs long. I’ve flown to Vancouver from Ottawa and it is 3+ hours.
Must be something with the amount of times a western team plays in Winnpeg as well