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

[sureLoss]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/n...trade-hamonic/

Very quietly, the New York Islanders are trying a manoeuvre a difficult situation — the possibility of trading Travis Hamonic.

Hamonic, a talented 25-year-old defender who does tremendous things off the ice, is in play, although the exact reasons are private.

One rumour indicated it was because he was unhappy with the unusual Long Island–Brooklyn setup for the team’s players, but a few sources blew that rationale out of the water.

“Nothing to do with it,” one said.

“This was a possibility before games began this season,” said another.

There’s a ton to like about this player. He’s a right-hand shot, top-pairing defenceman with four years remaining on a good-value contract. The average annual amount is $3.857 million, although the actual dollars will be $4.875 million beginning in 2016-17. Teams are scared by term these days, but there’s less worry about someone signed to a fair deal during his prime years.

“The problem with them trading Travis Hamonic,” one exec said, “is they want… Travis Hamonic.”

Several sources indicate Snow is not interested in a picks or prospects type of return. He’s looking for equal-level replacement.

That’s reason No. 1 this hasn’t happened yet. There aren’t a lot of these players available..

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
Credit to @FriedgeHNIC on Hamonic story. He has family concerns in West Canada and requested a move before the season...

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
Hamonic loves the Isles. This is personal. Wpg, Edmtn, Cgy and Van all preferred. Might expand to other west cities. Tough on Isles....

[CroFlames]

Hamonic for Wideman?

[Swayze11]

Edmonton needs to be all over this but obviously I would prefer Calgary pick him up somehow.

[JJ1532]

I'd imagine Edmonton will move for him, hard. Can see him heading there.

[Locke]

Wow. This must be the first time Edmonton and Winnipeg have been near the top of a player's 'Desired Trade' list as opposed to being at the top of their 'No Trade Under Any Circumstances Ever' list.

[sureLoss]

Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
Garth Snow wants an equitable player in return. Given status of Hamonic tough deal to make.

Arthur Staple @StapeNewsday
Confirming report from @FriedgeHNIC, Travis Hamonic requested a trade prior to the start of the season. #Isles trying to accommodate.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

Edmonton needs to be all over this but obviously I would prefer Calgary pick him up somehow.

Me too, but it essentially means that Wideman would have to either be going back or be launched into the Sun and I say that as someone who likes Wideman.

We've got a log-jam on the backend and lots of dollars tied up in it.

[mdubz]

Islanders stated they want an equal defenseman in return. The Oilers have no equal defensemen to offer, so they are automatically out.

[PlayfulGenius]

What does NYI need? ... not D, do they? ... would they be excited by one of EDM's forwards?

[sureLoss]

Perhaps the Jets offer Trouba?

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Hamonic for Wideman?

Before the season started maybe..

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Islanders stated they want an equal defenseman in return. The Oilers have no equal defensemen to offer, so they are automatically out.

Maybe Sekera if they retain 1.5 M. And throw something else in. Haha, stupid oilers.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Maybe Sekera if they retain 1.5 M. And throw something else in. Haha, stupid oilers.

Haha, that's about as enticing as us trading them Wideman and a "throw in" player.

[heep223]

Is Hamonic really a top pairing guy? I thought he was more of a 3-4.

[Swayze11]

Its one thing to ask for a lateral player, its another to get a lateral player. Seeing how he requested a trade at the beginning of the year and hasn't been traded, I think the agent leaked this to kick them in the ass.

Theres 4 teams he wants to go to. Those 4 teams have all the leverage, why would they give the Islanders a lateral move that the Islanders are going to like?

[Illuminaughty]

The Jets are trying to move Enstrom, I wonder if the Isles would take that swap with some filler to sweeten the deal.

I wonder what the Oilers would be able to offer, A rhd is exactly what the oil need.

[Clever_Iggy]

Anyone outside of Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Brodie or Hamilton. Which means it's tough for the Flames to put a package together to get this done.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Islanders stated they want an equal defenseman in return. The Oilers have no equal defensemen to offer, so they are automatically out.

No, Darren Dreger said that Garth Snow wants an "equitable" player in return. Position wasn't mentioned.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Islanders stated they want an equal defenseman in return. The Oilers have no equal defensemen to offer, so they are automatically out.

Who says he wants an equal level defensive player?

They could equally want a top level forward, of which the Oilers have a few. But then, they probably value Hall, Eberle, RNH far too highly, which as you say might rule them out straight away. Interesting.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by heep223

Is Hamonic really a top pairing guy? I thought he was more of a 3-4.

He is the Islanders #1 d-man. Plays 23+ mins a night.