Travis Hamonic played a silent, but strong game to help the Islanders defeat the Maple Leafs.
Hamonic assisted on Anders Lee’s eventual game winner, extending his points streak to four games, and was a +3 in 23 minutes in Thursday’s win over Toronto.
In 45 games, Hamonic has three goals, 16 assists and is a +9. He has five assists over his last four, and eight assists in nine games since the All-Star break.
I think he's been playing great. He's been one of our best D-men. He plays the toughest minutes and the most minutes of anyone on the team.I have a concern about his play as of late is there anything going on? This is fantasy hockey related he seems to being dropped in my leagues I think over 700 teams have dropped him, why? I still have him on my team and he is producing especially HITS.
I have a concern about his play as of late is there anything going on? This is fantasy hockey related he seems to being dropped in my leagues I think over 700 teams have dropped him, why? I still have him on my team and he is producing especially HITS.
I have a concern about his play as of late is there anything going on? This is fantasy hockey related he seems to being dropped in my leagues I think over 700 teams have dropped him, why? I still have him on my team and he is producing especially HITS.
Not a fantasy player, but a heck of a hockey player. Maybe people picked him up after Leddy was hurt? or while Visnovsky missed time? since Hamonic was (and still is) getting the odd PP time? But Hamonic isn't (and likely won't ever be) a big fantasy player (not for goals/assists, anyway). I think Leddy's the one Islander that will emerge into that role with Pulock being the Al MacInnis/PK Subban "big shot" PP point guy on the horizon. That PP QB remains a huge hole for the Islanders.
I think Boychuk would fill that role better than Hamonic, right now, but neither are suited to that role.
So Hamonic is no longer playing on the PP?
He's definitely had a nice offensive breakout, but I think he's doing too much. The Isles need him more in their own zone than in the offensive zone.
Also, he's not a good partner for de Haan if he's going to continually act like he's Bobby Orr.
I think Reinhart would be a better partner for him moving forward and once Pulock is up I don't want to see Hamonic near the powerplay. Too many AMac-esque wristers off opponents' shins for my liking.
Someone previously mentioned Reinhart with Hamonic, and Pulock with de Haan and I'm liking the sound of that moving forward (assuming de Haan regains his rookie year form).
Love the way Hamonic is playing this year, with so much confidence. This is how he played against Pittsburgh in the playoffs 2 years ago. I don't like him trying to be so offensive, he is still leading the Islanders in shooting and missing the net, but he is putting up his best numbers yet. I think having Boychuck and Leddy helps him, in that Hamonic doesn't have to be the best Dman on the team anymore.
For a player who wants to give his all, the best thing for Travis Hamonic last season was doing less.
Less is relative, of course, as Hamonic did play a team-high 21:47 per game, though that’s down from 25 minutes per contest the season before – 11th most in the league. The Islanders primary shutdown defenseman eclipsed 25-minutes of ice 34 times two seasons ago, but only touched that mark six times last season.
The Islanders’ minute-eating additions of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy at the start of the 2014-15 season had a positive impact on Hamonic, who put up a career-year offensively with 33 points (five goals, 28 assists).
“He really took a step forward for me,” Head Coach Jack Capuano said. “He didn’t have to play 28/29 minutes the way him and Andrew MacDonald were doing that one year. It was a defense-first mentality where it always needs to be with our hockey club, but he gained more confidence with the offense. He always knew what the system was, but he executed it much better.”