It’s no secret the Winnipeg Jets are a potential trade partner for the New York Islanders, who are actively trying to accommodate Travis Hamonic’s request to be dealt to the West.
However, Elliotte Friedman, who was first to report Hamonic’s situation earlier this month, says there are a lot of moving parts to a potential trade.
“I really believe there’s a deal to be made there between Islanders and Jets for Hamonic,” Friedman told Sportsnet 960 The Fan Monday. “Now, that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but I think there’s something there.”
LISTEN: Friedman talks latest Hamonic trade rumours, Leafs, Oilers and more
While there is plenty of speculation surrounding the futures of pending unrestricted free agents Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien, Friedman feels what the Jets decide to do with pending RFA defenceman Jacob Trouba could be a determining factor in a potential deal with the Islanders.
“Everybody talks about Ladd and Byfuglien, but to me Trouba is just as big a deal because he’s heading into the end of his entry-level contract.”
Tyler Myers is another big name on the Jets blue-line whose name has been bandied about in Hamonic trade scenarios.
“I don’t think that’s the deal that the Islanders want to make. I’m also not sure that’s the deal the Jets want to make,” Friedman added. “The one thing about Myers is his contract was pretty front-loaded. A lot of the biggest money, I think, was done early. Which is sort of like Hamonic, in the sense that Hamonic is three years at a good cap number although his salary goes up to $4.9 [million] the next four years. Myers’ deal, even though it was a long deal, it was heavily front-loaded, which is attractive to a team like the Jets that has money, but isn’t the wealthiest team. I’m not sure that’s the deal.
“I think the Islanders were offered Byfuglien and they said no. And I understand why, because Byfuglien’s got no term left. I think they’d love to have Trouba, but the Jets aren’t really there to do it. If [an offer involving Myers] happened – I can’t for sure it has or hasn’t – I’m not sure that’s the deal either team really wants to make, to be perfectly honest. Hamonic is an edgier player than Myers. I think that might give you a bit of an edge in terms of getting him. But Myers is a solid player who is going to be a solid player for a long time. He might not be the elite, top-end defenceman that people were hoping he would be, but he’s a good player.”
Friedman also believes the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have kicked tires on a Hamonic trade.
“I just don’t think there’s a direct match there. If the Flames are going to [pull off a trade] I think it will be with another team,” Friedman explained. “Same with the Oilers as it stands right now. I’m one of the people who believes that the Islanders asked for Darnell Nurse and the Oilers are not willing to do it.”
