By Wes Gilbertson
The Calgary Flames are determined to build one of the NHL’s best bluelines, and Saturday’s trade at the NHL draft is a significant step in that direction.
The Flames welcomed defenceman Travis Hamonic in Saturday’s swap with the New York Islanders, bolstering a top four that also includes captain Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Dougie Hamilton.
“In my opinion, those three guys are some of the best D-men in the league, truthfully,” Hamonic said. “So be joining a defensive core that has those guys there, I think first and foremost, it’s just really exciting because you know you’re going to be playing with someone that is one of the top guys in the league, in my opinion. So to have that opportunity, I think that’s the biggest aspect for me is the excitement to try to fit in and find your role and be surrounded with some really good players. I think that’s the exciting part.”
Flames general manager Brad Treliving shipped three draft picks — a first-rounder in the 2018 NHL Draft and two future second-rounders — to Brooklyn to complete the deal for Hamonic. The Flames also acquire a fourth-round pick, either in 2019 or 2020.
Although training camp doesn’t open until September, it’s safe to pencil the 26-year-old Hamonic — a right-handed shot — onto Calgary’s second pairing with Brodie.
“We like it on paper. Paper and reality are always two different things, but we like how it looks,” Treliving said. “And I think the skill-set too, if you look at the three guys there with Brodie and Hamilton and Gio, they move pucks. And Travis does too, but I think he brings a little edge. I think there is some versatility in the group now. He checks a lot of boxes for us.”
Hamonic is listed at six-foot-two and 205 pounds and has seven seasons of big-league experience, all with the Islanders.
He totalled three goals, 14 points and 60 penalty minutes in 49 contests last winter.
“My role in New York was always to try to be really sound defensively and play against some of those top guys in the league. It’s something that I always really tried to pride myself on,” Hamonic said. “But at the same time, I know that I have some offensive ability and, first and foremost, I have to prove myself to the team and obviously the fan base is going to be closely watching. But I think that they’re going to see someone who is really passionate, plays hard and I think my game certainly suits the Western Conference style, for sure.”
Hamonic, who hails from Manitoba, was saluted Tuesday as the winner of the NHL Foundation Player Award, a recognition of his D-Partner program, which includes rink-side seats and behind-the-scenes meet-and-greets for children who have lost a parent at a young age.
Prior to the 2015-16, Hamonic asked the Islanders for a trade to a western Canadian team because of an undisclosed family issue. He withdrew the request a year later saying the issue had been resolved.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com