It works both ways though. Yes Hamonic is special, and yes his cap hit is low. But, with Pulock and Pelech coming up, you're not replacing Hamonic, but you have guys who can play special team minutes. So yes, you'd have been losing Hamonic, but Hall playing with Tavares would have been as good if not better than any 1-2 punch in the league, and his minutes would have been eaten up by Pulock/Pelech.
- kindlyrick

It just proves this team is going no where until Snow and the coaches are out of the picture. This team needs to make a splash like they did back in the early 90's. I wouldnt care as much if we had a coach who disciplined his players if they did nto perform at hundred percent every night but since we do not have that we need to make a huge impact.

It works both ways though. Yes Hamonic is special, and yes his cap hit is low. But, with Pulock and Pelech coming up, you're not replacing Hamonic, but you have guys who can play special team minutes. So yes, you'd have been losing Hamonic, but Hall playing with Tavares would have been as good if not better than any 1-2 punch in the league, and his minutes would have been eaten up by Pulock/Pelech.
- kindlyrick

It's not about the special team minutes, it's about 5v5. Let's not pretend that our goaltending situation is anything overly stable. If we had Carey Price or Lundqvist in net, I'd be a bit more open to trading a defenseman like Travis. But I firmly believe that we would perpetually be chasing a defenseman like Hamonic if we traded him.

A scoring winger will be easier to find than a top pairing defenseman.

It's not about the special team minutes, it's about 5v5. Let's not pretend that our goaltending situation is anything overly stable. If we had Carey Price or Lundqvist in net, I'd be a bit more open to trading a defenseman like Travis. But I firmly believe that we would perpetually be chasing a defenseman like Hamonic if we traded him.

A scoring winger will be easier to find than a top pairing defenseman.
- eichiefs9

Look there really is no right or wrong answer here. It really just comes down to your GMs idea of winning (which might I add hasnt been working ha). For me, I make that trade, solely because its a marketing wet dream. Your kids kids would have been talking about Tavares to Hall. Only us grandparents would be saying.....remember Travis Hamonic?

As for the top pairing D man,......Pulock could be that guy.

It just proves this team is going no where until Snow and the coaches are out of the picture. This team needs to make a splash like they did back in the early 90's. I wouldnt care as much if we had a coach who disciplined his players if they did nto perform at hundred percent every night but since we do not have that we need to make a huge impact.
- kasperrko

I mean if you're expecting Snow to make a splash, dont. He's consistently inconsistent. He came into the fold and traded three first rounders for Ryan Smyth....bam. He's had years of doing nothing and going with the developement thing. One year he goes out and gets Leddy and Boyhuck......and others he's signing tryout players and throwing them with JT (three different times).

The upside is that Ledecky seems like he wants to win, so if Snows not gonna produce Snows not gonna have a job. In fairness Snows done some good things and being patient was one of them. But, the time to start winning is now. If the isles arent winning after a GMs 10th year, then that GM isnt fit for the job. Period.

Look there really is no right or wrong answer here. It really just comes down to your GMs idea of winning (which might I add hasnt been working ha). For me, I make that trade, solely because its a marketing wet dream. Your kids kids would have been talking about Tavares to Hall. Only us grandparents would be saying.....remember Travis Hamonic?
- kindlyrick

I don't think there is necessarily a right or wrong answer either, but I do think it's a matter of preference. It's not like I don't want Taylor Hall or I don't want Tavares to land a real winger (although my preference would be for a good RW). I love Hall, but I place a lot more value on defense. Guys with his size that can play in all situations, and do it well, like Travis are rare. Hamonic may not be an elite, top-level defenseman in this league...but I think he is without question one of our top-2 defensemen, if not our best.

Hall would have taken care of a problem, but I think losing Hamonic would have created an even bigger one. That would have bumped Pulock up to the 2nd pairing and then we would have been relying on Scott Mayfield to play 3rd pair minutes. I wouldn't have been so thrilled about that.

I mean if you're expecting Snow to make a splash, dont. He's consistently inconsistent. He came into the fold and traded three first rounders for Ryan Smyth....bam. He's had years of doing nothing and going with the developement thing. One year he goes out and gets Leddy and Boyhuck......and others he's signing tryout players and throwing them with JT (three different times).

The upside is that Ledecky seems like he wants to win, so if Snows not gonna produce Snows not gonna have a job. In fairness Snows done some good things and being patient was one of them. But, the time to start winning is now. If the isles arent winning after a GMs 10th year, then that GM isnt fit for the job. Period.
- kindlyrick

Not for nothing, but we did make it to the conference semi-finals last season. We've now made the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 seasons. It's a pretty huge undersell to say that this team "isn't winning".

I don't think there is necessarily a right or wrong answer either, but I do think it's a matter of preference. It's not like I don't want Taylor Hall or I don't want Tavares to land a real winger (although my preference would be for a good RW). I love Hall, but I place a lot more value on defense. Guys with his size that can play in all situations, and do it well, like Travis are rare. Hamonic may not be an elite, top-level defenseman in this league...but I think he is without question one of our top-2 defensemen, if not our best.

Hall would have taken care of a problem, but I think losing Hamonic would have created an even bigger one. That would have bumped Pulock up to the 2nd pairing and then we would have been relying on Scott Mayfield to play 3rd pair minutes. I wouldn't have been so thrilled about that.
- eichiefs9

I truly think that this sentence right here is why you make that trade. I love Hamonic, but he's not among the leagues elite, so he shouldn't be untouchable. My honest opinion is that Snow didnt make that trade, not for performance reasons, but more for cap friendly reasons. I take issue with that.

Not for nothing, but we did make it to the conference semi-finals last season. We've now made the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 seasons. It's a pretty huge undersell to say that this team "isn't winning".
- eichiefs9

Conference semi finals, is like saying you won the lottery with a $100 scratch off. The lost to a Stamkos less Lightening in round 2. Period.

I'll ask you this, do the isles beat the Panthers sans 91? i dont believe so...

To be fair last season was a step forward. If they dont get past the second round this season it should be over for Snow. Making the playoffs and being ousted in the first round isnt a success to me. Maybe it is to some.....but when you hadnt won a round since 1993, it means sh!t. Lets see what happens this season...

Not for nothing, but we did make it to the conference semi-finals last season. We've now made the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 seasons. It's a pretty huge undersell to say that this team "isn't winning".
- eichiefs9

sometimes you end up with teams that get to a certain point over and over and can't get over the hump (st louis) or teams that flame out in the playoffs repeatedly (san jose, until this year)

looking at the make up of the team, I can't get past the hole in the top six. Need another winger unless they're going to play strome at 2C with Nelson on the right wing and lee on the left. If Barzal makes the team we could see the kid line reunited and barzal at 3C...just a lot to put on a rookie that hasn't even had time in the ahl.

Conference semi finals, is like saying you won the lottery with a $100 scratch off. The lost to a Stamkos less Lightening in round 2. Period.

I'll ask you this, do the isles beat the Panthers sans 91? i dont believe so...

To be fair last season was a step forward. If they dont get past the second round this season it should be over for Snow. Making the playoffs and being ousted in the first round isnt a success to me. Maybe it is to some.....but when you hadnt won a round since 1993, it means sh!t. Lets see what happens this season...
- kindlyrick

re the bold, I don't think that's a fair argument tbh. No one is saying the Isles are built as deep as tampa, that's where we're trying to get to.

I truly think that this sentence right here is why you make that trade. I love Hamonic, but he's not among the leagues elite, so he shouldn't be untouchable. My honest opinion is that Snow didnt make that trade, not for performance reasons, but more for cap friendly reasons. I take issue with that.
- kindlyrick

I don't believe for a second that Snow passed because of Hamonic's cap hit. He just signed a 30 year old Ladd to a long term, lucrative deal.

Hamonic or Hall's standing in the league doesn't matter. We have no suitable replacement for Travis at the moment, nor do we have an elite-level goaltender that can bail out a subpar defense. We already allowed the 11th most SA/gp in the league last season with Hamonic, it wouldn't have gotten any better if we moved him.

I think there will be options after this season, with the looming expansion draft. I'd rather add a guy who's almost as good as Hall and keep Hamonic.

I don't think there is necessarily a right or wrong answer either, but I do think it's a matter of preference. It's not like I don't want Taylor Hall or I don't want Tavares to land a real winger (although my preference would be for a good RW). I love Hall, but I place a lot more value on defense. Guys with his size that can play in all situations, and do it well, like Travis are rare. Hamonic may not be an elite, top-level defenseman in this league...but I think he is without question one of our top-2 defensemen, if not our best.

Hall would have taken care of a problem, but I think losing Hamonic would have created an even bigger one. That would have bumped Pulock up to the 2nd pairing and then we would have been relying on Scott Mayfield to play 3rd pair minutes. I wouldn't have been so thrilled about that.
- eichiefs9

1st bold - Lets not overrate him, plz.....

2nd bold - Snow had all off-season to possibly sign 1 or trade for 1, do u see NJ scrambling to replace Larsson?

sometimes you end up with teams that get to a certain point over and over and can't get over the hump (st louis) or teams that flame out in the playoffs repeatedly (san jose, until this year)

looking at the make up of the team, I can't get past the hole in the top six. Need another winger unless they're going to play strome at 2C with Nelson on the right wing and lee on the left. If Barzal makes the team we could see the kid line reunited and barzal at 3C...just a lot to put on a rookie that hasn't even had time in the ahl.
- Isles_since_6

Yeah listen, I'm not in any way trying to say that we didn't need Hall or another top 6 player. We do. I want one, and soon. I just don't think trading our best all-around defenseman for a player is the way to do it. I think there will be other avenues available.

I don't believe for a second that Snow passed because of Hamonic's cap hit. He just signed a 30 year old Ladd to a long term, lucrative deal.

Hamonic or Hall's standing in the league doesn't matter. We have no suitable replacement for Travis at the moment, nor do we have an elite-level goaltender that can bail out a subpar defense. We already allowed the 11th most SA/gp in the league last season with Hamonic, it wouldn't have gotten any better if we moved him.

I think there will be options after this season, with the looming expansion draft. I'd rather add a guy who's almost as good as Hall and keep Hamonic.
- eichiefs9

Yup.

1st bold - Lets not overrate him, plz.....

2nd bold - Snow had all off-season to possibly sign 1 or trade for 1, do u see NJ scrambling to replace Larsson?
- Ur Not Me

Do you not think Hamonic is one of our best two defenseman?

I see NJ not making the playoffs, despite having an all-world goaltender backstopping a piss-poor defensive corps.

If your goal is to get Taylor Hall and miss the playoffs...then by all means keep pointing to a bad, non-playoff team as evidence of what Snow should have done.

I don't believe for a second that Snow passed because of Hamonic's cap hit. He just signed a 30 year old Ladd to a long term, lucrative deal.

Hamonic or Hall's standing in the league doesn't matter. We have no suitable replacement for Travis at the moment, nor do we have an elite-level goaltender that can bail out a subpar defense. We already allowed the 11th most SA/gp in the league last season with Hamonic, it wouldn't have gotten any better if we moved him.

I think there will be options after this season, with the looming expansion draft. I'd rather add a guy who's almost as good as Hall and keep Hamonic.
- eichiefs9

I absolutely believe that Hamonic signed to such a cap friendly hit vs his minutes and use on this team is the reason he was not moved.
But you also had 3 dman who shouldnt even have been in the NHL. You literally would have been better off last season with Pulock pelech and mayfield. SO those stats are scewed, with Zidlicky and Strait

1st bold - Lets not overrate him, plz.....

2nd bold - Snow had all off-season to possibly sign 1 or trade for 1, do u see NJ scrambling to replace Larsson?
- Ur Not Me

Who/what do they have that they can trade to replace him? If Jersey had the surplus pieces that Edmonton had, I have no doubt they'd be shopping for a defender.

I don't believe for a second that Snow passed because of Hamonic's cap hit. He just signed a 30 year old Ladd to a long term, lucrative deal.

Hamonic or Hall's standing in the league doesn't matter. We have no suitable replacement for Travis at the moment, nor do we have an elite-level goaltender that can bail out a subpar defense. We already allowed the 11th most SA/gp in the league last season with Hamonic, it wouldn't have gotten any better if we moved him.

I think there will be options after this season, with the looming expansion draft. I'd rather add a guy who's almost as good as Hall and keep Hamonic.
- eichiefs9

This is where we differ.....im not waiting for the expansion draft. This guys had 10 years to build a winner. Yzerman, and Lombardi have done it in less time. To say lets wait and see whats out there next year is crap.

It works both ways though. Yes Hamonic is special, and yes his cap hit is low. But, with Pulock and Pelech coming up, you're not replacing Hamonic, but you have guys who can play special team minutes. So yes, you'd have been losing Hamonic, but Hall playing with Tavares would have been as good if not better than any 1-2 punch in the league, and his minutes would have been eaten up by Pulock/Pelech.
- kindlyrick

One thing you can't replace and i don't believe Pulock/Pelech have is that Hamonic plays with grit and has a bit of a mean streak in him. This team is already soft in some areas. Plus i think he is underated as a defenseman. There were a few times when he was johnny on the spot with the goalie floundering at keeping the puck out of the net.

If the trade was made. i would have been sad to see him go but wouldn't be dissaponted in the return

Do you not think Hamonic is one of our best two defenseman?

I see NJ not making the playoffs, despite having an all-world goaltender backstopping a piss-poor defensive corps.

If your goal is to get Taylor Hall and miss the playoffs...then by all means keep pointing to a bad, non-playoff team as evidence of what Snow should have done.
- eichiefs9

I actually think NJ makes the PO's this year or barely misses. And no I dont think Hamonic is our 2nd best, i still side with Boychuk as of now and firmly believe within 2yrs Pulock will be. Hammer is a nice player but sorry he's replaceable but the team lacks STAR players to help overcome the 1-man-band of JT .....

*maybe if Hall was acquired, then maybe Snow would have traded a young guy to get a dman??

I absolutely believe that Hamonic signed to such a cap friendly hit vs his minutes and use on this team is the reason he was not moved.
But you also had 3 dman who shouldnt even have been in the NHL. You literally would have been better off last season with Pulock pelech and mayfield. SO those stats are scewed, with Zidlicky and Strait
- kindlyrick

New owners have been pretty clear that there are no restrictions on spending, I highly doubt Hamonic was kept solely for the fact that he's cheap and plays a lot of minutes. He's a very good defenseman that can play in all 3 situations, he has a ton of value.

Do you not think Hamonic is one of our best two defenseman?

I see NJ not making the playoffs, despite having an all-world goaltender backstopping a piss-poor defensive corps.

If your goal is to get Taylor Hall and miss the playoffs...then by all means keep pointing to a bad, non-playoff team as evidence of what Snow should have done.
- eichiefs9

Lets not get extreme and say trading Hamonic and Hall would miss the playoffs. One could make an argument, that another GM if offered Hall for Hamonic, woulda been on the horn with 29 other NHL teams seeing what it would take to get a 20 min a night shut down dmen. Its not like the isles dont have 5 blue chip forward prospects, and picks to aquire it.

New owners have been pretty clear that there are no restrictions on spending, I highly doubt Hamonic was kept solely for the fact that he's cheap and plays a lot of minutes. He's a very good defenseman that can play in all 3 situations, he has a ton of value.
- eichiefs9

Im referring to keeping the team under the cap. Im not referring to spending on him. Im saying his expense vs his minutes and use.

Who/what do they have that they can trade to replace him? If Jersey had the surplus pieces that Edmonton had, I have no doubt they'd be shopping for a defender.
- Wildschwein

NJ has prospects/picks/etc they acquired Hall/Palmeiri/Schneider, etc so lets not count them out bc we think they have nothing .....

One thing you can't replace and i don't believe Pulock/Pelech have is Hamonic plays with grit and has a bit of a mean streak in him. This team is already soft in some areas. Plus i think he is underated as a defenseman. There were a few times when he was johnny on the spot with the goalie floundering at keeping the puck out of the net.

If the trade was made. i would have been sad to see him go but wouldn't be dissaponted in the return
- special_k1074

As I said before.....I love Hamonic. But, a winning GM who has that trade offer out there, gets on the phone and aquires a replacement and pulls the trigger. 5 top end forward prospects, picks, and young NHL talent gets that done. The problem is that Snow NEVERRRRRRR parts with his picks (unless they walk via free agency).