It was reported on Monday that the Winnipeg Jets' contract talks with big bad blueliner Dustin Byfuglien was having a fairly direct impact on their pursuit - or possible pursuit, or lack of pursuit - of New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic. Hamonic, of course, has made it clear to Isles GM Garth Snow that he'd like to be dealt elsewhere and the Jets are his No. 1 destination due to their close proximity to his family. Snow seems amenable to this, but he can't simply give away a player as talented and capable as Hamonic, which is where the Jets, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and Byfuglien come in.
Per a Tuesday report from ESPN's Craig Custance, contract talks between the Jets and Cheveldayoff and Byfuglien's reps have been "minimal" to this point this season, with "no serious talk of money at this point." However, communication between the two sides is said to have "started to pick up" this week, with the Hamonic situation likely putting "a little urgency into the Jet's side."
Really, it makes quite a bit of sense that the Jets would want to figure out their own long-term blueline situation before determining the extent to which they're willing to pursue a guy like Hamonic. Would the Islanders top-four defender upgrade the Winnipeg blueline? In a heartbeat. Is he better than say, Tyler Myers? Yes.
But with Byfuglien coming up on unrestricted free agency and Jacob Trouba restricted free agency, things are unsettled on the backend for Cheveldayoff. Before the Hamonic situation can be given the full weight of his consideration, Byfuglien likely needs to give the franchise a firm answer on whether or not he can be signed to a deal that will keep him in Winnipeg for the foreseeable future.
