New York Islanders Player Grades: Travis Hamonic

The New York Islanders seemed unable to shake constant trade rumors this season. Mainly due to Travis Hamonic’s surprise trade request.

It’s safe to say that the New York Islanders were shocked when Travis Hamonicasked for a trade from the team that drafted him. His reason for the request we were told was not due to the organization, but unfortunately, a family member was in poor health and Travis wanted to be closer.

It’s truly commendable of a man to want to be next to his family in a time of need. But that also does not mean that the team needed to act immediately to secure a trade for him. The team did what it needed to do to serve his and their interest.

Hamonic recently found out that the family members health had improved and has rescinded his trade request.But for months, Isles fans had to live with the possibility that Travis could well be on his way out.

Losing a top four and potential top two defenceman is terrible for an organization. While not the most offensively minded defenseman, it’s Hamonic’s work at the blueline that makes him so invaluable.

Hamonic: Break-up Artist

We recently ran a story about how Nick Leddy is the quarterback of the New York Islanders blueline. If Leddy is the quarterback then Travis Hamonic is the middle linebacker, if we’re to use football positions.

In a study conducted by Sportsnet’s Dimitri Filipovic, Travis Hamonic came out as one of the best defensemen in the playoffs in terms of break-up ability, with 11.36%. Victor Headman was a the top with 15.00%, just to give you a sense of Hamonic’s skill.

Hamonic’s five goals and 16 assist this season are an amazing contribution when you consider the type of player he is. It’s great to have offensively minded defensemen like Nick Leddy on your roster. But you still need players capable of stopping the opposition.

We all panicked when we found out that Hamonic wanted out because we knew the hole he would leave in the lineup.

Performance This Year

It’s fair to say that Isles fans expected more productivity out of Hamonic this year, after a career year in 2014-15 when he got five goals and 28 assists for 33 points. It’s clear that his family member’s health had an affect on him. He held his end of the bargain and continued to play while the executives tried to service his request.

Whatever way you want to see it, a sufficient trade could not be found. Hamonic kept playing and made the best of the situation he was in. He continued to produce both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Not only in the points column but in the more nitty-gritty areas of the analytics arena.

As we’ve said before, Leddy and Hamonic form a great 1-2 punch on that first defensive pairing. He had a good season that was unfortunately filled with some drama. This season will go down as one that was defined simply by the trade drama rather than anything else.

Final Grade: B