The event of
the week was the impending trade of Travis Hamonic. Since the deadline, Matt Duchene
was the number 1 target on the Isles list. The price was said to be too high,
so it didnt happen. Rumors had Sakic turning
down Hamonic, MDC (assuming) and a 2018 1st for Duchene as late as yesterday,
so the Isles would look elsewhere. Toronto and Calgary were very
interested in Hamonic at the open of NHL Entry Draft, day 2. Talks of a deal with Toronto was rumored to lose traction when JVR was apparently not willing to waive his no-trade and talk extension. Around 11 a.m., Elliotte Friedman
mentioned Calgary had made a deal with New York. Hamonic said he wanted to play in western Canada last year and now he will. The news came out that Hamonic's Mother is not doing well once again and the need to relocate was probably behind his trade. Travis Hamonic on Garth Snow, "Garth is probably one of the most loyal, if not the most loyal, people I've met in my lifetime so far." A post trade interview can be found here.
Class Act and longtime
Islanders D, Travis Hamonic goes to Calgary with Isles 4th round selection in ‘19,
for Calgary’s 1st round pick in ‘18, and two 2nds. A 2nd in ’18 and a 2nd in’19
or ’20, conditions apply and an "exclusively future return," per Staple, while Flames also get a ’19 or ‘20 4th round pick
back, conditions apply. It takes $4M off their cap ($9.5M cap space) to sign RFA de
Haan and aid in their pursuit of an elite forward. It wasn’t exactly the 2
first round picks Snow wanted, but it was close. Hamonic (3 years left at $3.857 per) leaves the Islanders with 3 and 11 in 49 games last season. 26 goals and 120 assists in 444 career games.
I wasn’t OK
with the trade if Snow only got a couple of picks for a tough, passionate and
sound Hamonic, unless they were components for a part of a bigger trade to come
to get that elusive top rung center. It’s also important to remember that
Hamonic has had 2 rough years and may be on the decline.
The Isles blue
line looks like this. Leddy, Boychuk, de Haan, Seidenberg & Hickey. Ryan Pulock now
has a real opportunity to make the team out of camp and more will be expected
of Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield for sure. Do not forget about Devon Toews,
especially after the year he had with the BST.
We need to see how the rest of the day goes and remember the July 1st free agency is coming up. We need to see what comes out of it before initial judgement can be passed.
That's not saying I don't think you have a right to be a little nervous or concerned. There is a lot at stake.
That's not saying I don't think you have a right to be a little nervous or concerned. There is a lot at stake.
My full draft recap should be up by tomorrow. Thanks.
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