Toronto Maple Leafs linked to Islanders’ Travis Hamonic

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again being linked to a defenceman. The latest target is reportedly Islanders’ Travis Hamonic.

The NHL Trade Deadline might not have featured the frenzy of trades we all hoped for, but it looks like the NHL Draft is where all the activity we’ve heard about will come to fruition. There’s already been a couple of trades today, but by the sounds of it we might see a few more completed by the time the draft begins.

Of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been involved in a few rumours, but the latest is once again linking them to a defenceman. This time the target is Travis Hamonic, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

Hamonic is an interesting target for the Leafs and he’s been linked in trade rumours for the better part of the last two seasons. Although past rumours have predominantly linked him to teams in the Western Conference, it’s clear the 26-year-old is available.

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The problem, however, is the asking price is said to be steep. According to Newsday’s Arthur Staple, the Islanders want two first-round picks for Hamonic. Considering what we saw the Blackhawks trade Niklas Hjalmarsson for, and even the inclusion of Anthony DeAngelo in the Rangers-Coyotes trade, the idea of fetching a pair of first-rounders for Hamonic is asking for a lot — and that’s putting it politely.

Staple went on to say he believes the Islanders would prefer to trade Hamonic to a Western Conference team. Outside of the Flames, though, Dreger listed the Red Wings, Lightning and Leafs as the teams in on Hamonic the “hardest.” Dreger also mentioned the Coyotes, but that’s possibly changed since they acquired Hjalmarsson.

Hamonic would be a nice addition to the Leafs’ blue line, but unless Garth Snow’s asking price comes down, I couldn’t see Lou Lamoriello and co. parting ways with two first-round picks.

Next: Leafs are being linked to Colin Miller

Would you like to see the Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Travis Hamonic? What would you be willing to give up for him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.