New York Islanders Need to Trade Travis Hamonic Before Expansion

For months now the talk as been about the New York Islanders have to make a major trade before the expansion draft. That time is just about here. The Islanders need to trade Hamonic before expansion.

The New York Islanders have to submit their expansion draft protection list, this Saturday, the 17th. The Isles are in an expansion pickle because of their depth on the blue line.

The only kind of trade that makes sense with the Vegas Golden Knights is if the Isles could dictate who George McPhee selects in expansion. What package of prospect and draft pick would the Isles have to surrender to make that a reality? That possibility would be too high of a cost.

Something has to give this week and in all likelihood, Travis Hamonic will be the one to go.

Time is Now

The expansion draft aside everyone including Garth Snow and Doug Weight knows the Islanders need to get stronger regarding their offense. In a recent interview with TSN, Weight said: “The team’s top off-season need is a top three or four forward”.

The Isles have incredible depth on the blue line both in terms of their NHL roster and their blue line prospects knocking on the NHL door. This is the area of depth where Snow has to trade from to acquire a top-notch proven scoring forward.

New York Islanders

Probably Hamonic

Odds are it will be Hamonic who gets moved for a scorer. It’s possible the Isles can make a deal where Calvin de Haan and their 2017 first-round pick (15th overall) lands them that scoring forward.

Even though de Haan had the much better year, most teams will have Hamonic valued higher. Keep in mind, from a cap standpoint, Hamonic is signed for another three years at just $3.86 million per year. While de Haan is a restricted free agent this summer. So there is more uncertainty at this time regarding his new contract and cap number.

In a perfect world, it would be great if the Isles didn’t have to move either of them. But you have to give to get and the expansion clock is just about to ring. It’s time to pull the trigger.

That new scoring forward can either team up and play alongside John Tavares or help anchor the Islanders second line. Either is a winning situation for the blue and orange.

Next: Isles Sign Steve Bernier

The time is now for Snow to land that proven scorer to add to this roster and make the Isles a legitimate contender. Snow has plenty of assets to trade from to get a deal done. No excuses the Isles must act now.