New York Islanders Rumours: Friedman Discusses Hamonic and Okposo

According to Elliotte Friedman, the Edmonton Oilers have interest in a trade for New York Islanders defenseman, Travis Hamonic.

Friedman was on a radio program called Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer and was discussing potential shake-ups for the perennially bottom-five team. This is what he had to say about the Oilers’ options:

"“I do believe that we are getting closer to the day that Edmonton makes a move with one of its young forwards. I would say if I’m ranking them, it’s probably [Jordan] Eberle one and [Ryan] Nugent Hopkins two, for a young defenseman. I think everybody is looking at Hamonic and saying ‘Is there going to be a match there?’, I have no doubt that’s what the Oilers are considering and I have no doubt that they’re going to try to get it done.”"

Listen to the full segment here:

For the Islanders, the Oilers are an interesting trade partner.

Also discussed on the show was whether or not Justin Shcultz had much longer in Edmonton. He’s a restricted free agent coming up at the end of the year and he has always been a target of criticism among Edmonton fans and media. However, looking at his numbers, it appears as if Schultz has improved.

Despite playing the least amount of minutes in his career, he is having a positive dCorsi impact for the first time.
Also, when looking at his rate stats, he is actually producing at a rate extremely similar to Hamonic.

Related Story: Hamonic D-Partner Program

Edmonton fits with Hamonic’s wishes and if the Islanders can buy low on Schultz and acquire a young forward in the process, it could be their best option. They may have to sweeten the pot a little bit, but not much if the Oilers are really starting to sour on their players.

Friedman also briefly touched on another player whose contract is up at the end of the year, Kyle Okposo: “The last time I checked, there had been almost no negotiations at all and that’s usually a warning sign to me.”

It’s very odd how little talk there seems to be about Okposo and Frans Nielson contracts for next season, and it would be a mistake to let them walk away for nothing in return. While it seems unlikely while they’re in a playoff spot, it’s possible that one of these players is moved this season.

Next: Where are the 2014-15 Islanders?

The Islanders are shaping up to be one of the more interesting teams at the trade deadline, and who knows, maybe a trade is exactly what this team needs.