- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic has requested a trade for personal reasons. He prefers a team in Western Canada. The Islanders will do their best to accommodate the request. The situation is not a surprise for the Islanders.
“This was a possibility before games began this season,” said another.
Hamonic is a right-handed shot, with a $3.857 million cap hit for the next four years. Starting in 2016-17, his salary jumps to $4.875 million. It’s not an easy trade for the Islanders to make.
“The problem with them trading Travis Hamonic,” one exec said, “is they want… Travis Hamonic.”
Sources saying that GM Garth Snow is not interested in draft picks or prospects.
- Darren Dreger: Hamonic has family concerns in Western Canada. He requested a trade before the season. Hamonic loves the Islanders, but this is more personal. Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver are all preferred destinations. He might expand to other Western cities. Islanders GM Garth Snow is wanting an equitable player in return for Hamonic. It’s not an easy trade to make.
- Arthur Staple: Hamonic wouldn’t comment. He will address the situation tomorrow with the team, and then to the media.
