The Edmonton Oilers biggest issue is, and has been, defense. Edmonton has lacked a true top-pairing option since Sheldon Souray’s injury early in the 2009-10 season, that’s a fact. The Oilers have been stuck in the basement ever since that night, not surprising when you consider that defense does in fact win Championships.
They always say that you have to draft and develop top-pairing defenders, that they don’t just become free agents or become available in trade. For the most part, that sentiment is accurate, but today the Oilers have the chance of a lifetime. A top-pairing, right shot defender who is only 25 years-old and entering the prime of his career has just become available on the market.
On top of that? Western Canada is his preferred destination, making Edmonton one of four leading suitors for Travis Hamonic.
Whats Going On?:
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet dropped the bombshell yesterday by revealing that Hamonic had requested a trade and that the Islanders were attempting to deal him. It’s a solid piece and can be read in it’s entirety here.
Darren Dreger of TSN chimed in about a half hour later with the following tweets surrounding the situation.
@DarrenDreger: Credit to
@FriedgeHNIC on Hamonic story. He has family concerns in West Canada and requested a move before the season…@DarrenDreger: Hamonic loves the Isles. This is personal. Wpg, Edmtn, Cgy and Van all preferred. Might expand to other west cities. Tough on Isles….
@DarrenDreger: Garth Snow wants an equitable player in return. Given status of Hamonic tough deal to make.
This was followed up by TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, who believes that the Oilers are right in the thick of things when it comes to these trade talks.
@TSNRyanRishaug: My belief Oilers and Isles have had talks as far back as September on Hamonic. A defenceman who can play now is likely needed in return.
Chris Nichols, who does some tremendous transcripts of NHL insiders on the radio, tweeted out the following after a Dreger interview.
@NicholsOnHockey: Dreger: “I know that Edmonton has had discussions with Garth Snow and the
#Isles dating back to prior to the start of the season.”#Oilers
The Oilers Outlook:
Hamonic is from Manitoba and the thought process is that the Jets would be the favorites if they wanted to get involved. The thing is, Winnipeg is loaded with solid young defenders and probably doesn’t want to move their few offensive pieces to add to a surplus. If they can get Dustin Byfuglien signed, then this would make zero sense for them.
Vancouver, according to Dreger, hasn’t even called the Islanders regarding Hamonic to this point, while the Flames don’t have the assets to move unless they decided to move T.J. Brodie or Dougie Hamilton. I’d classify that as highly unlikely at this time.
The would leave Edmonton in a pretty good spot. The trade history with the Islanders is there, from the Ryan Smyth deal in 2007 to the Griffin Reinhart trade just a few months ago. Oh, and Peter Chiarelli dealt Johnny Boychuk to Garth Snow and the Islanders one year ago when Boston had to move on from the defender. It also helps that Edmonton has been in contact extending back at least two months.
What Would A Deal Look Like?:
This is the million dollar question, what would a trade between these sides actually look like? The Islanders want an equal player in return, but the truth is that Edmonton does not have a defender of equal value to deal off here. Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom are probably the ask, but with this request out in the public, Snow does not have the leverage to command one of those two.
The defenders that make the most sense? Justin Schultz and Mark Fayne. Fayne had success in the east and plays a shut-down style, while Schultz is also a young offensive defender in his mid-20’s. The dollars match up with all three players as well.
For all intents and purposes, let’s say that Justin Schultz is the player that Garth Snow settles on defensively from the Edmonton Oilers.
Schultz by himself will not get this deal done, everyone knows that. Would the addition of a first or second round pick get it done? It might, but I’d wager it will not and that another player would be needed from Edmonton.
Kyle Okposo is a pending UFA and a strong possibility to leave this off-season. Would the Islanders be interested in Nail Yakupov or Jordan Eberle to replace Okposo moving forward? It’s certainly a possibility.
I’d have three offers to Garth Snow if I were Peter Chiarelli. Maybe I’m out to lunch, but I believe that all three of these could get the deal done.
1.) Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz, 2016 3rd round pick for Travis Hamonic and Kyle Okposo
2.) Justin Schultz, Nail Yakupov for Travis Hamonic, Steve Bernier
3.) Mark Fayne, Anton Lander, 2016 3rd round pick for Travis Hamonic
A Potential D Depth Chart:
Oscar Klefbom – Travis Hamonic
Darnell Nurse – Andrej Sekera
Griffin Reinhart – Justin Schultz/Mark Fayne
Peter Chiarelli has a really big opportunity here. A player that is a PERFECT fit for Edmonton’s needs has sprung free and is willing to come to town. This is a major test for GMPC. Don’t be mistaken either, this player would have a massive impact on this 30th place hockey club. Plugging this hole would be just massive for the Oilers.
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