They almost certainly can't afford to resign him now. There are very few wingers of quality out there. He just turned 30 in December, so he's probably a shade past his prime... still a quality player, and as a Captain, also a proven leader.
I can think of one team in the Metropolitan division that could use a true winger to play alongside an elite center. I wonder if they have a player with the desire to go to Winnipeg :)
if these down & out Canadian teams will eat salary to get a better return. They are getting absolutely savaged by the oil bust. All their revenues are in C$, all the player contracts are paid in US$.
...Yandle is going to want in free agency. Mike, pg - what is the latest on Hamonic? Has he cooled on his desire to be traded. He is making 3.8. Considering the market for D, that is a great contract.
RE: I think this makes the Andrew Ladd situation very intruing
They almost certainly can't afford to resign him now. There are very few wingers of quality out there. He just turned 30 in December, so he's probably a shade past his prime... still a quality player, and as a Captain, also a proven leader.
I can think of one team in the Metropolitan division that could use a true winger to play alongside an elite center. I wonder if they have a player with the desire to go to Winnipeg :)
Just because he's a captain doesnt mean he's a proven leader. Winnipeg has been perhaps the most disappointing team in the NHL this year (next to Colombus anyway). Emphatic pass on that guy as it relates to NYR.
...Yandle is going to want in free agency. Mike, pg - what is the latest on Hamonic? Has he cooled on his desire to be traded. He is making 3.8. Considering the market for D, that is a great contract.
My guess is he'll get traded in the offseason to Edmonton for one of their big guns. A deal between those teams seems inevitable, makes too much sense for all involved.
My guess is he'll get traded in the offseason to Edmonton for one of their big guns. A deal between those teams seems inevitable, makes too much sense for all involved.
Nugent-Hopkins would be a good fit for the Islanders. I'll defer to the Islander fans for their thoughts.
...Yandle is going to want in free agency. Mike, pg - what is the latest on Hamonic? Has he cooled on his desire to be traded. He is making 3.8. Considering the market for D, that is a great contract.
The hooplah has died down, but for some reason because of this, most have resigned to the idea "nothing is gonna happen until the offseason."
I'm not so sure about that. The same way we had no idea he wanted out, I also think we have no idea what's in the works now. I certainly think it's reasonable he might be traded in the next 3 weeks, especially considering our need for a true winger... but I don't think many share my opinion.
The thing that's likely to keep him here is the fact that guys like Barzal and Dal Colle look ready. Hard to justify trading Hamonic for a rental winger when we have long term, viable solutions only a year away.
My guess is he'll get traded in the offseason to Edmonton for one of their big guns. A deal between those teams seems inevitable, makes too much sense for all involved.
Nugent-Hopkins would be a good fit for the Islanders. I'll defer to the Islander fans for their thoughts.
Strictly from a talent perspective, that young man is a good fit anywhere.
But if I'm the Islanders, I'm not trying to pick up yet another natural centerman and convert him to wing. We've already done that so many times. Okposo, Strome, Nelson at times, Grabbo at times.
It's not an excuse, but I do think when you don't have at least one true star winger, you're going to get the offensive inconsistencies you've seen from the Islanders at times, despite some obvious talent upfront.
That's why I'm so intrigued by Ladd and excited to see Dal Colle get a shot. Tavares needs someone playing his natural position along side him. If Nudgent-Hopkins were on my team I'd never complain, but I think there are other less expensive options out there (in regards to assets we'd have to give up) that would serve our needs better.
Mike hit most of the points. Taking some noodling a bit further...
I believe if the Isles trade Hamonic or Okposo prior to/at the deadline, it's a tacit white flag on the season as both are currently too valuable. In fact, Hammer may be playing the best hockey of his career right now. The trade request isn't lost on anyone, including Hamonic, who reiterated this weekend that he's committed to the Islanders, same as always, and wants this team to win with him on it. To me, any Hamonic trade is after the season. For the right package, KO could be moved, but I think both sides (Isles and KO) know he'll play out the season and the Isles are resigned to letting him walk for nothing.
But in terms of trade partners or assets, I've been thinking about the following. If we are to assume the Isles trade Hamonic to the most frequently mentioned suitors, let's start with Edmonton. Their play this year, and specifically, their most recent skids, underscores they absolutely need defense. Yes, Klefbom got hurt, and neither Nurse nor Reinhart have risen to the occasion. Nurse was deemed untouchable but I think the Oil would move him under the right circumstances. The embarrassment of riches at forward also affords them the ability to move a talented player without sacrificing much (and I read one EDM forum today that suggested Hall may be wearing out his welcome...drool).
Snow probably won't get like-for-like with Hamonic. But Hamonic would nearly instantly become the Oilers #1 d-man, and for that, you pay. Eberle was the name most thrown around, and I don't see the Isles settling for him. If Hall is not in play, and I'm sure Draisaitl isn't either, RNH would be a great get but as Mike says is a natural center which the Isles have a glut of (with reinforcements in the WHL and Q).
So, some possible acquisition targets from EDM for the Isles: RNH, Eberle, ask what it would take for Hall; I could also see them relent and give up Nurse.
Now with Buff re-upping in WPG, the Jets have a problem because of Ladd, but also Schiefele and Trouba (who both want big bucks) as RFAs. Signing Buff hurt Trouba's cause in the Peg. Whether the Isles wait till after the season and move Hamonic for Trouba, or if they decide to move Okposo before the deadline, Trouba to me also becomes instantly more attainable. If Okposo gets dealt, I'm 100% okay with them moving him for a D-man this season, and if Hamonic gets dealt after the season, recoup a good forward (plus) for a young, cost-controlled defenseman who is a legit top-4 (depending on the team, top pair) defender in the prime of his career.
I can think of one team in the Metropolitan division that could use a true winger to play alongside an elite center. I wonder if they have a player with the desire to go to Winnipeg :)
I can think of one team in the Metropolitan division that could use a true winger to play alongside an elite center. I wonder if they have a player with the desire to go to Winnipeg :)
Just because he's a captain doesnt mean he's a proven leader. Winnipeg has been perhaps the most disappointing team in the NHL this year (next to Colombus anyway). Emphatic pass on that guy as it relates to NYR.
My guess is he'll get traded in the offseason to Edmonton for one of their big guns. A deal between those teams seems inevitable, makes too much sense for all involved.
My guess is he'll get traded in the offseason to Edmonton for one of their big guns. A deal between those teams seems inevitable, makes too much sense for all involved.
Nugent-Hopkins would be a good fit for the Islanders. I'll defer to the Islander fans for their thoughts.
The hooplah has died down, but for some reason because of this, most have resigned to the idea "nothing is gonna happen until the offseason."
I'm not so sure about that. The same way we had no idea he wanted out, I also think we have no idea what's in the works now. I certainly think it's reasonable he might be traded in the next 3 weeks, especially considering our need for a true winger... but I don't think many share my opinion.
The thing that's likely to keep him here is the fact that guys like Barzal and Dal Colle look ready. Hard to justify trading Hamonic for a rental winger when we have long term, viable solutions only a year away.
Quote:
My guess is he'll get traded in the offseason to Edmonton for one of their big guns. A deal between those teams seems inevitable, makes too much sense for all involved.
Nugent-Hopkins would be a good fit for the Islanders. I'll defer to the Islander fans for their thoughts.
Strictly from a talent perspective, that young man is a good fit anywhere.
But if I'm the Islanders, I'm not trying to pick up yet another natural centerman and convert him to wing. We've already done that so many times. Okposo, Strome, Nelson at times, Grabbo at times.
It's not an excuse, but I do think when you don't have at least one true star winger, you're going to get the offensive inconsistencies you've seen from the Islanders at times, despite some obvious talent upfront.
That's why I'm so intrigued by Ladd and excited to see Dal Colle get a shot. Tavares needs someone playing his natural position along side him. If Nudgent-Hopkins were on my team I'd never complain, but I think there are other less expensive options out there (in regards to assets we'd have to give up) that would serve our needs better.
I believe if the Isles trade Hamonic or Okposo prior to/at the deadline, it's a tacit white flag on the season as both are currently too valuable. In fact, Hammer may be playing the best hockey of his career right now. The trade request isn't lost on anyone, including Hamonic, who reiterated this weekend that he's committed to the Islanders, same as always, and wants this team to win with him on it. To me, any Hamonic trade is after the season. For the right package, KO could be moved, but I think both sides (Isles and KO) know he'll play out the season and the Isles are resigned to letting him walk for nothing.
But in terms of trade partners or assets, I've been thinking about the following. If we are to assume the Isles trade Hamonic to the most frequently mentioned suitors, let's start with Edmonton. Their play this year, and specifically, their most recent skids, underscores they absolutely need defense. Yes, Klefbom got hurt, and neither Nurse nor Reinhart have risen to the occasion. Nurse was deemed untouchable but I think the Oil would move him under the right circumstances. The embarrassment of riches at forward also affords them the ability to move a talented player without sacrificing much (and I read one EDM forum today that suggested Hall may be wearing out his welcome...drool).
Snow probably won't get like-for-like with Hamonic. But Hamonic would nearly instantly become the Oilers #1 d-man, and for that, you pay. Eberle was the name most thrown around, and I don't see the Isles settling for him. If Hall is not in play, and I'm sure Draisaitl isn't either, RNH would be a great get but as Mike says is a natural center which the Isles have a glut of (with reinforcements in the WHL and Q).
So, some possible acquisition targets from EDM for the Isles: RNH, Eberle, ask what it would take for Hall; I could also see them relent and give up Nurse.
Now with Buff re-upping in WPG, the Jets have a problem because of Ladd, but also Schiefele and Trouba (who both want big bucks) as RFAs. Signing Buff hurt Trouba's cause in the Peg. Whether the Isles wait till after the season and move Hamonic for Trouba, or if they decide to move Okposo before the deadline, Trouba to me also becomes instantly more attainable. If Okposo gets dealt, I'm 100% okay with them moving him for a D-man this season, and if Hamonic gets dealt after the season, recoup a good forward (plus) for a young, cost-controlled defenseman who is a legit top-4 (depending on the team, top pair) defender in the prime of his career.