The thing that makes Hamonic so valuable to the Flames is that he is a top 4 defenceman that can handle top pairing role. All for the cap hit of $3.857 million for this season and the next 4.
That cap hit for performance ratio will be extremely valuable moving forward with the impending Gaudreau, Monahan, and Bennett extensions on the horizon.
You are unlikely to get anyone on the UFA market capable with similar age range for that friendly a cap hit unless you get lucky with a reclamation project or a player at the end of their hockey career.
Any team willing to get rid of an RFA that is capable of that is because they can't afford his next contract and that player will likely have a higher cap hit.
Should the Flames trade Gio, Hamilton or Brodie for him. No, not unless the Isles are adding some significant assets the Flames can use to address other areas of weakness.
But the Flames should be looking at moving assets other than core players for this guy.
Yes some are overrating him, but Hamonic would be an extremely good add for the Flames.
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