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In today's NHL top-4 defensemen are rarely made available on the trade market.
There's a big name out there right now, though, as New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is on the market after asking for a trade due to personal reasons,
according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Hamonic would prefer to be dealt to a Western Canadian team and the Calgary Flames are reportedly interested, however, they don't seem like a good fit; especially given the asking price for Hamonic.
Transcription via FlamesNation: Certainly the Calgary Flames are a team, I think, that are very, very interested (in Hamonic). I'm led to believe the ask from the Island was T.J. Brodie - a nonstarter for Calgary... I think they might, might look if the Islanders were interested in Dougie Hamilton, but that seems like a complicated one.
I've always liked Hamonic's game but I think the Flames would be nuts to seriously consider moving either player for Hamonic and it seems like they agree; at least with regards to Brodie.
T.J. Brodie has been very good for several years now but he's starting to emerge as one of the top blue liners in hockey. He's an elite skater who can log huge minutes and he's a more than capable contributor in all situations. His defensive game is excellent and he's no slouch offensively having recorded 47 points in his last 93 games (Hamonic has 38 in his last 92 for comparison).
On a team with Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton on it Brodie may be the best of the bunch and he's signed to an extremely team friendly deal at just $4.65 million per through 2020.
As for Hamilton he isn't as sound defensively or as physical as Hamonic. In saying that he is a better skater, a better puck mover and has much more offense to his game.
Even accounting for Hamilton's slow start to this season he has 47 points and 230 shots in his last 93 games. That's excellent production from a defenseman and it's not as if Hamilton is inept in his own zone.
Hamilton is also only 22 years old (Hamonic is 25). In my opinion Hamilton is already the better defenseman and it's entirely possible - likely, even - that Hamilton continues to get better.
In my estimation moving either of those guys for Hamonic would be a step back.
If, for some reason, the Islanders were willing to accept a package featuring Dennis Wideman/Kris Russell, one of the team's top defense prospects (I'd move Oliver Kylington over Rasmus Andersson) and a draft pick then pull the trigger but I simply don't see Garth Snow making a move like that; and rightfully so.
The Flames and Hamonic may have mutual interest in each other but I just don't think the fit is there right now.
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