Islanders Draft Review: Travis Hamonic
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was a highly anticipated event for Islander fans. With the Islanders holding the #5 pick, they were almost assured of coming away with an impact player. However, GM Garth Snow chose to restock the Prospect pool and traded down twice to the #9 spot in order to gain more picks in the second and third rounds. It was a risky move, but it could pay off huge dividends in the future. Here’s a look at the prospects the Islanders drafted:
Travis Hamonic-D-6′0, 192 lbs.-Shoots Right- 2nd round pick (53rd Overall)
Positives: Is a hardworking player with a strong competitive streak…plays a hard-nosed defensive style and will sacrifice his body to block shots…good skater who brings energy to the game.
Negatives: Doesn’t have much of an offensive upside…Needs to work on his playmaking skills…plays a style bigger than his body and could be injury prone at the pro level.
Analysis: This was a curious pick by Snow. Hamonic possesses some qualities of a shutdown defenseman (which the Islanders need, considering Brendan Witt is not getting any younger) but he seems to be one dimensional. He also probably could have been taken a round or two later.
My grade for the pick: C
Author Bio
Frank has been a fan of the New York Islanders since seeing his first hockey game way back in 1977.
He reveled in the success of the Dynasty years and endured the time the team has spent in the basement of the league.
He also covers the Isles and New York Jets for www.sportstalkbuzz.com and writes a regular fantasy hockey column for www.rotoexperts.com.
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