We're getting a clearer picture of just what it is New York Islanders GM Garth Snow is looking for in return in a potential Travis Hamonic mega-deal. When the initial report of Hamonic's availability surfaced, it was suggested that Snow was seeking a 1-for-1 defenseman trade and that he and the Isles weren't interested in picking up picks or prospects in order to offset the massive hole that would suddenly exist in the middle of their defensive corps. On Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet offered some clarification on the Hamonic talks from New York's perspective and even threw another interesting name in the mix - center Ryan Strome.
Per Friedman, via Chris Nichols, Snow truly did want a defenseman-for-defenseman deal when this whole Hamonic situation first began. It sounds like, from Friedman's use of the word "initially," that that may no longer be the case. From the Winnipeg Jets to the Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild, it's been reported that no one will part with their top defenseman or defensive prospects to land Hamonic.
The Jets don't want to surrender Jacob Trouba. The Oilers have no interest in handing over Darnell Nurse. And Snow, as has been suggested previously, isn't just going to hand over Hamonic - a big, top-four defender just entering his prime NHL years with room still to grow his game - without landing comparable, or perhaps even stronger, compensation that can help him in the here-and-now.
"Garth Snow has made it very clear he's not making any deal here until it's a deal he thinks helps him right now," Friedman said Friday, via Nichols.
It all adds up to a situation that likely won't be resolved in the near future. Assets of this value rarely hit the market, at any point in their careers. And Hamonic's got a favorable AAV ($3.86 million) on a favorable deal, which only adds to his value for New York. His on-ice success and overall attractiveness to other teams is, in essence, hampering his actual trade viability, especially because Snow, like any sane GM, doesn't really want to give him up anyway.
It's an interesting NHL world.
As for Strome, Friedman reports that other teams have been sniffing around the young center. From the sounds of things, Snow's answer has been something along the lines of "thanks, but no thanks."
Strome got off to a decent start to the 2015-16 NHL season, notching five points in seven games playing on captain John Tavares' wing, a year after he put together a 50-point effort. But a rough end to Oct. saw him sent down to the Sound Tigers and then to Bridgeport, where he finally seemed to regain his confidence.
His return to the Islanders was announced on Thursday, likely in an effort to aid the suddenly anemic Isles offense. The former first-rounder may have an uphill climb ahead of him to work his way back into the good graces of Snow and head coach Jack Capuano, but it sure sounds like he won't become trade bait for the team any time soon.
