[Rumour] Travis Hamonic requests trade. Western Canada preferred destination

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm likely in the minority on this, but if BT can get Kris Russell to ink a 3 year deal at $4 million per season, would that be so terrible? His game has definitely turned around in the last couple of weeks.

I'd expect him to sign for less with such Butleresque numbers.

Hopefully he is gone next year. Little, positionally bad, who cares if he blocks a lot of shots. He is about 17 blocked shots short of good.

[adc]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm likely in the minority on this, but if BT can get Kris Russell to ink a 3 year deal at $4 million per season, would that be so terrible? His game has definitely turned around in the last couple of weeks.

The initial problem I could see is I don't think he is worth $4 million a year so overpaying for a bottom pairing defenseman is a bad idea.

Beyond that for next year we would have:

Gio- 6.75
Brodie- 4.65
Hamilton- 5.75
Wideman- 5.25
Russell- 4
Smid- 3.5
Engelland- 2.9

That is $33 million dollars in our defense which is way too much (when you consider how they have played this year its insanely too much).

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm likely in the minority on this, but if BT can get Kris Russell to ink a 3 year deal at $4 million per season, would that be so terrible? His game has definitely turned around in the last couple of weeks.

I would rather the team get younger than re-sign guys that won't be part of the team when they are ready to contend. Kris Russell is, at best, a #4 guy. I like him, I think he's a great guy, but we don't need him. We need smaller cap hits on our back end. Ideally, guys like Hickey, Kylington and Andersson make the team over the next 3 years and we can allocate that $4m you want to spend on Russell to guys that will be part of the long term solution.

[Badgers Nose]

Replace the bottom three with Nakladal, Wotherspoon and Kulak. Probably just as good and $7 million less.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by adc

The initial problem I could see is I don't think he is worth $4 million a year so overpaying for a bottom pairing defenseman is a bad idea.

Beyond that for next year we would have:

Gio- 6.75
Brodie- 4.65
Hamilton- 5.75
Wideman- 5.25
Russell- 4
Smid- 3.5
Engelland- 2.9

That is $33 million dollars in our defense which is way too much (when you consider how they have played this year its insanely too much).

Smid, Engelland and Wideman will be gone soon enough but the last thing we need is to turn Russell's next contract into another contract like that. Bring on the kids!

[sureLoss]

Per Dreger, Hamonic's agent has been given permission to talk to other GMs about trade. May lead to his list expanding.

[sureLoss]

Chris Nichols @NicholsOnHockey
LeBrun: Not only have Chiarelli, #Oilers been in on Hamonic since moment he asked for a trade...1/2 #Isles

Chris Nichols @NicholsOnHockey
LeBrun: I'm told Chiarelli approached #Isles about Hamonic even before he ever asked for a trade because he likes him. #Oilers 2/2

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Per Dreger, Hamonic's agent has been given permission to talk to other GMs about trade. May lead to his list expanding.

Why would they do that? Is Garth Snow so busy that he has to outsource his GM duties to player agents?

Furthermore how does he have a "list"? He doesn't have a NTC so if Snow decides to trade him closer to home (or at all) he's doing him a courtasy.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Why would they do that? Is Garth Snow so busy that he has to outsource his GM duties to player agents?

It's so Hamonic's agent can make sure that Hamonic's needs are met with potential teams, which isn't Snow's job.

It will also probably help other GMs feel more comfortable paying the price for Hamonic if they know he and his agent will be happy with coming to their team.

[sureLoss]

Chris Nichols @NicholsOnHockey
Dreger: #mnwild keenly interested in Travis Hamonic. #Avs have had some communication. Agent has permission to speak to GMs. #Isles

Chris Nichols @NicholsOnHockey
Dreger: "I see the dark horse as Minnesota" for Hamonic. #mnwild #Isles

[adc]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Why would they do that? Is Garth Snow so busy that he has to outsource his GM duties to player agents?

Furthermore how does he have a "list"? He doesn't have a NTC so if Snow decides to trade him closer to home (or at all) he's doing him a courtasy.

If he wants to leave for personal reasons there is a good chance that any GM dealing for him will want to make sure they city/team is a good fit so they won't go through the same thing in a year or two.

Snow lets him do this because if the other GM feels 100% comfortable with the fit they likely give up more to the Islanders to get him.

Also with this report out its hard to imagine that teams out East are clamouring to trade for Hamonic, especially if they couldn't talk to him/his agent first. So yes Snow could technically trade him anywhere are other GM's out East going to look to add him to their team let alone give up a big piece?

[The Yen Man]

Lol, if Treliving can somehow swing Hamonic for Russell + a prospect, he'll truly be a wizard among wizards in my book.

[sureLoss]

Friedman on 960:

teams that weren't in it before are trying to get in - some teams were genuinely surprised
teams are asking to speak with Hamonic to see if he would consider them
Agent Kevin Epp granted permission to talk to teams
Minnesota legitimate contender
Wild may try for a bigger deal and get a forward from Islanders as well

don't think there is any urgency
has been going on a long time - made request in summer
pretty surprising how respectful Islanders are to Hamonic and Hamonic is to the Islanders considering trade request
mutual respect probably led Hamonic to saying he is willing to finish the year with the Islanders

investigating Marleau trade rumors led Friedman to the Hamonic trade request

Islanders have been talking to Oilers for a long time - tells Friedman that there is no fit
Minnesota, Calgary and Anaheim have the players that Snow wants. - Hamonic probably doesn't want to go to Anaheim
Snow has been very clear - does not want prospects or picks

[sureLoss]

I think if Russell or Wideman as the main piece could get it done, Hamonic would already be wearing the flaming C.

[JurassicTunga12]

Chris Nichols ‏@NicholsOnHockey Dreger: We believe there are five teams in forefront on #Isles' Travis Hamonic - #NHLJets, #Oilers, #Flames, #mnwild, #Avs.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I think if Russell or Wideman as the main piece could get it done, Hamonic would already be wearing the flaming C.

Truth is, smart GMs like Snow know what Russell and Wideman are and don't just buy into counting stats or "warrior" points. There's a reason Russell and Wideman both found themselves out of favor in Washington and St. Louis respectively.

Hamonic's value is definitely more than we're willing to pay.

[The Yen Man]

Oh, I don't doubt it will take a lot more than Russell and Wideman to get it done, that's why I don't think the Flames have a realistic shot unless they are willing to give up somethng more significant. Heck, based on Snow's wants, I don't think Russell plus this year's 1st rounder would get it done (not that I would do that if I were Treliving anyways, seeing as this year's 1st is a potential lottery pick).

[sureLoss]

Insider Trading:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video

Dreger - Still early
Believe 5 teams are in the forefront Winnipeg, Oilers, Flames, Wild, Avs
His agent has been given permission to talk to other teams and unless the aforementioned teams step it up, the list is expected to grow

It sounds like they are asking for equivalent players like Myers or Trouba.

LeBrun
Edmonton has asked about Hamonic even before he asked for trade
Don't think the Oilers will part with Nurse

[FBI]

Yeah of course we have the players Snow wants.. (Brodie, Hamilton)

[sureLoss]

Dreger on That's Hockey also says Snow isn't getting what he wants from Edmonton, Winnipeg, or Calgary.