Hamonic Update 11:55 CST
Okay after texting and speaking to a few people I have learned this about the Hamonic scenario as it relates to Winnipeg.
The first request for a trade was made in the summer and that request was specifically to Winnipeg.
Jets have been in contact with Islanders about this
Hamonic's second choice is Alberta but Winnipeg is his preferred destination
One source explained that this is likely the reason there is no movement on Buff and Ladd deals- to many moving parts that may not be tied together affecting process.
Jets have had the inside track before other teams even knew
Snow will not make trade at any cost, trying to be accommodating but has to get right return.
Hamonic wants to move but knows he has to give more than one option.
Back to regular programming.
It was sloppy, it went back and forth and it was not terribly exciting but thanks to one team making one goalie look like the second coming of Hasek, the Jets losing streak ended. In some regards one should write more about the Canucks here as they are the real topic of discussion, what a hot mess!
I feel bad for Henrik and Daniel Sedin, they are trying to make things happen but few on that team have clue what should be done to help those two. Start with getting in position.
Did I say the game was sloppy? It was on both sides of the puck and Jets fans need to be aware of one basic fact- had the Canucks been any other team in the central that game is not a win and long knives are out today.
Yes Scheifele got off the schnide, and on the power play to open the scoring and again later in the game but it was sloppy hockey. Too many lazy penalties and far too much over-thinking with the puck. Any expected battle between 2014 draft picks Ehlers and Virtanen was non-existent as both of those players were non-existent on the ice for most of the game.
Even the fact that Drew Stafford had two goals, despite being awful, is a damning mark agains the Canucks and the state of that team and coach. I wonder how long 'ol Willie has before he's in the hot seat.
If you are Canucks fan I see why Dorsett and Sbisa drive you bonkers. The Jets have Thorburn and Peluso and they are better. There I said it.
The interesting thing about last night was Maurice in the post game comments when asked about relief for the team and how the players were feeling. His reply was that he didn't even go into the room after it was for them and followed that up with 'players win games and coaches lose games', a very noble statement.
It's back to work tomorrow for the Jets as they have a day off today.
Hamonic.
As the new began to break around the Hamonic deal we have some more details to discuss- that this request was made nearly 6 weeks ago, and he wants to be closer to home, preferably western Canada and there is a family element that is of concern to Travis.
So if it's closer to home that would mean Minneapolis and Winnipeg are the front runners. If it's western Canada then choose from Van, Cal and Edm on who has the best assets to make this deal work.
What Garth Snow is looking at is a 4 team bidding war, if he can get it there. The Oilers should be aggressive as Hamonic is the kind of player they need, badly. The Jets on the other hand don't need him but they sure should want him, but at what cost?
He's a top pairing RHD and the Jets arguably have 3 of those already depending on how you look at the roster depth. Hamonic is young and signed for term at a very reasonable rate so he is going to get a big return but what does Snow want?
Here's one thought... if Hamonic's request has changed things does Snow want to go all-in on this season and try and build something for the playoffs? If so would trading Byfuglien back to the Islanders make sense as one piece of a bigger deal? The Isles have pieces but if they want to maintain their current trajectory then they want something that stays for the longer term and not a possible loss in free agency.
Enter Trouba and Myers. It would be safe to assume that Trouba is untouchable but that's pure assumption and his play right now might leave many Jets fans considering moving him if a player like Hamonic could come back. But Myers might be more appealing. He has a declining salary deal where the team takes a higher cap hit but pays him less and he's 25. Need to sweeten the pot, then add Josh Morrissey?
Whaaat? Not the 2013 first round pick!! Go watch a Moose game and see if Morrissey is ready yet or soon. Most will tell you he's a way's off and that's because in junior offensive defensemen dazzle but when facing pros the other side of the game exposes them. It's not that Morrissey will burn out but he may take longer to arrive and that could be to the Islanders benefit.
Think of it this way, if you could make Bogosian turn into Hamonic by moving Myers you do that every day and twice on Sunday.
I agree with what Gary Lawless said yesterday on his radio show, this deal involves more than a player for player(s) model it will have more parts to it, with picks and prospects going both ways too. The variable here is Byfuglien and his appeal to Snow as bringing in that body to the east could give the Isles some interesting dynamics other teams don't have. If the sides are talking, and they should be Snow will have to know what it costs to keep Buff and that is the kicker, does he need another defensemen making as much a Boychuk? Does he have the budget to do so?
I expect a bidding war for Hamonic but in reality I only see two teams in and that would be the Jets and Oilers and I'm not positive either team will want to give up what Snow could and should demand.
Here's one thought, the Islanders have 2 goalies who are 29 and 30- would an RFA in Hutchinson be appealing as a part of any deal?