GARTH'S CORNER: Hamonic Convergence

I don't think you or anyone else is on target as to what Garth Snow would want or need. Certainly NOT a goaltender. Doubt anyone but Trouba coming back the other way would satisfy him from Winnipeg and even that is a stretch. Certainly NOT an energy winger as the Isles have that in spades with Clutterbuck / Martin / Cizikas. And I can't see how or why they would be interested in Big Buff. Isles don't need someone who takes needless penalties and is easy to get off his game like Scott Stevens was in Washington early in his career. Travis is a 1-2 defensive defenseman, a warrior who goes about his business, plays strong, and doesn't get caught out of position often. And he is signed to a reasonable contract for the next several years. I think it will be downright impossible for the Isles to get anything like near value for this player as he does so much and says so little. Not to take anything away from the Boychuk and Leddy pairing, but Travis is THE best defenseman on the Isles. This whole thing is a shock to the system for a guy who was groomed to be the quintessential Islander. It should be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Elliotte Friedman (and anyone else who "broke" the story) is kind of an bumhole:

"Very quietly, the New York Islanders are trying a manoeuvre a difficult situation — the possibility of trading Travis Hamonic."

Yes, it was being done very quietly...until you reported it and basically ensured that the Isles will get way below market value for him since it's now known that he wants out, and has very few teams he'd be willing to go to.

I don't think you or anyone else is on target as to what Garth Snow would want or need. Certainly NOT a goaltender. Doubt anyone but Trouba coming back the other way would satisfy him from Winnipeg and even that is a stretch. Certainly NOT an energy winger as the Isles have that in spades with Clutterbuck / Martin / Cizikas. And I can't see how or why they would be interested in Big Buff. Isles don't need someone who takes needless penalties and is easy to get off his game like Scott Stevens was in Washington early in his career. Travis is a 1-2 defensive defenseman, a warrior who goes about his business, plays strong, and doesn't get caught out of position often. And he is signed to a reasonable contract for the next several years. I think it will be downright impossible for the Isles to get anything like near value for this player as he does so much and says so little. Not to take anything away from the Boychuk and Leddy pairing, but Travis is THE best defenseman on the Isles. This whole thing is a shock to the system for a guy who was groomed to be the quintessential Islander. It should be interesting to see how this all shakes out.
- aaronfeigin

In a really tough position. Top Pair D with less than $3 million cap hits for term don't grow on trees. I agree that the Isles need an established top 4 d at minimum coming back (preferable someone to plug in exactly where Hamonic was). On a player for player, a Byfuglien for Hamonic swap makes sense until you consider the financial aspect. Equal players (lets just say for argument they are) one with low dollar term and one UFA expecting pay day are not of equal value. Do the Isles have the kind of room to absorb $7 plus million a year to resign?

Maybe Calgary cuts bait on the Hamilton experiment that was great on paper but horrible in practice (thus far at least). Would probably take a second piece coming back but as a player and cap hit you could do worse with what Hamilton brings.

Elliotte Friedman (and anyone else who "broke" the story) is kind of an bumhole:

"Very quietly, the New York Islanders are trying a manoeuvre a difficult situation — the possibility of trading Travis Hamonic."

Yes, it was being done very quietly...until you reported it and basically ensured that the Isles will get way below market value for him since it's now known that he wants out, and has very few teams he'd be willing to go to.

I agree. Friedman is probably my favorite writer, but it didn't need to come out. That said, I don't know how much it actually hurts the Isles. Maybe an on ice distraction that will force Garth to make a move for his team. However, he did ask to be traded in the offseason, so this isn't new to GMs. Maybe this puts some pressure on other GMs more than Snow, because everyone of the teams that he could go to now know he is available. Maybe it does create a bidding war

I agree. Friedman is probably my favorite writer, but it didn't need to come out. That said, I don't know how much it actually hurts the Isles. Maybe an on ice distraction that will force Garth to make a move for his team. However, he did ask to be traded in the offseason, so this isn't new to GMs. Maybe this puts some pressure on other GMs more than Snow, because everyone of the teams that he could go to now know he is available. Maybe it does create a bidding war
- YuenglingJagr

Well, if anyone is to blame for leaking the news of what appears to be a sensitive situation, it is not Friedmann, but the NHL executive who told/confirmed this for him. And I have to believe, that every time there is an unnamed leak (in sports or any other area) there is some perceived advantage or gain from doing so. Maybe it was leaked to try to put pressure on Garth to make the move, maybe accepting less return value to get the distraction over and done with.

Tyler Ennis for Toby Enstrom is like a 1st for Rob Lehner.

A terrible idea.

Tyler Ennis for Toby Enstrom is like a 1st for Rob Lehner.

A terrible idea.
- -JCDC-

Enstrom is weak tea.

Elliotte Friedman (and anyone else who "broke" the story) is kind of an bumhole:

"Very quietly, the New York Islanders are trying a manoeuvre a difficult situation — the possibility of trading Travis Hamonic."

Yes, it was being done very quietly...until you reported it and basically ensured that the Isles will get way below market value for him since it's now known that he wants out, and has very few teams he'd be willing to go to.
- jmatchett383

Well, that is kind of the job of a reporter/analyst.

They're certainly not being paid by the Islanders org.

Tyler Ennis for Toby Enstrom is like a 1st for Rob Lehner.

A terrible idea.
- -JCDC-

And WIN is in a worse situation as far as LHD than the Sabres are. I think Enstrom may be their only one. Strike that...their only somewhat good one that is left handed.

I can see the Jets trading forward Bryan Little, goalie prospect Connor Hellbuyck and a second round pick to the Islanders for Hamonic.


More like change Little for Trouba and u may be on to something there....

GARTH'S CORNER: Hamonic Convergence
- garth

"I can see the Jets trading forward Bryan Little, goalie prospect Connor Hellbuyck and a second round pick to the Islanders for Hamonic."



It's incredible how you over value Sabres players yet completely under value all other players around the league.

I agree. Friedman is probably my favorite writer, but it didn't need to come out. That said, I don't know how much it actually hurts the Isles. Maybe an on ice distraction that will force Garth to make a move for his team. However, he did ask to be traded in the offseason, so this isn't new to GMs. Maybe this puts some pressure on other GMs more than Snow, because everyone of the teams that he could go to now know he is available. Maybe it does create a bidding war
- YuenglingJagr

This wouldn't have leaked unless Snow wanted it to. Nothing leaks out of this club.

This wouldn't have leaked unless Snow wanted it to. Nothing leaks out of this club.
- Cptmjl

Nothing is stopping other GM's from spreading the world. He has been talking to teams for over 6 weeks god knows how many executives knew about this.

The NHL Trade market is percolating and frothing like my grand mother's old fashioned aluminum coffee urn.


for the love of pete don't make us read your blog from yesterday again.

Nothing is stopping other GM's from spreading the world. He has been talking to teams for over 6 weeks god knows how many executives knew about this.
- Vukota

That's true