On the New York Islanders and Travis Hamonic …
Arthur Staple of Newsday: It appears the Islanders may be moving on from defenseman Travis Hamonic for either a package of future assets for in a deal for another high-end forward.
From reports and league sources, the Islanders GM Garth Snow is asking for two first round picks for Hamonic.
The Flames have shown some interest but don’t like the high asking price.
Islanders GM Snow would still like to trade for Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene. It’s believed their is an offer on the table that include Hamonic, a prospect and maybe the Islanders 2018 1st round pick.
Sources saying Snow won’t give up Matthew Barzal.
The Flames have the No. 16 pick in the draft.
The Dallas Stars hold the No. 3 and No. 29 picks, though the No. 3 pick is not available in a Hamonic deal.
Hamonic has three years left on his deal at a $3.857 million cap hit.
Darren Dreger: “Leafs fans…I’m told Toronto is among the teams with strong interest and an offer in on Travis Hamonic. As you were.”
Arthur Staple: “With multiple offers for Hamonic, sense is #Isles would rather send him out west if they find a fit.”
Darren Dreger: “I believe Toronto, Calgary, Detroit and Tampa Bay in hard. Arizona was also interested, but Hjalmarsson trade may change that.”
Gregg Krupa: “#RedWings the difficulty? TOR CGY TB all have more to offer.”
Joe Smith: “#tblightning believed to be in hard on #Isles Hamonic, per @DarrenDreger.Still think there’s a possible fit w #mnwild for ‘D’ too.
Arthur Staple: “Hard to say definitively without a deal, but very possible #Isles trade Hamonic just for picks. Need to sign CdH w/ only $5.5m in cap space.”
Arthur Staple: “But again, nothing definitive. Hamonic clearly drawing a ton of interest, GS wants to trade when value is highest.”
Darren Dreger: “Sense is Snow isn’t willing to back off his ask for two 1st round picks for Hamonic. At least not yet…”
Andy Graziano: “I will say the same applies to Sakic as it does to Snow. You ask for the moon, hope someone bites. But eventually, reality sets in.”
B.D. Gallof: “Hamonic – 1st rounders value is like he’s a top pair D, which #isles fans know from his struggled paired with Leddy: he’s not.”
B.D. Gallof: “Sounds a lot like Snow banking on a hockey org to overvalue Hamonic or play field to get Sakic to bite w/ Duchene (still not likely)”
Kristen Shilton: “High asking price for Travis Hamonic if #Leafs want to close a deal. 26 year old right D, three years left on reasonable contract.”
Steve Simmons: “Travis Hamonic is worth pursuing for the Leafs. Giving up two first rounders for him – apparently the asking price – would be nuts.”
Howard Berger: “If the #Leafs get sucked into a bidding war for Travis Hamonic, they’ll be sorry. Doesn’t come close to addressing need for a No. 1 d-man.”
