Interesting news Wednesday as New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic is reportedly on the trade block for personal reasons.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was first to report the news.

My TSN colleague Darren Dreger fleshed out the report adding that Hamonic asked for a move to Western Canada before the season citing family reasons, wanting to be closer to his Manitoba home.

Isles general manager Garth Snow declined comment when I reached out to him Wednesday. But you better believe, while I’m sure he’s sensitive to Hamonic’s situation, he also needs to get proper value for a 25-year-old top-four blueliner signed through the 2019-20 season on a reasonable contract.

"He is not giving him away," said one Western Conference team executive referring to the Isles GM.

This is a tough situation for all involved. The Isles are in win-now mode. If they make this deal, they need a comparable top-four defenseman back in return, or at least get back assets they can use in a deal to get that, I guess.

If you’re the Winnipeg Jets -- the closest club to Hamonic’s St. Malo, Manitoba, roots -- no doubt you have to inquire.

My question is this: If you’re Winnipeg, do you even think of dangling pending unrestricted free agent blueliner Dustin Byfuglien, who remains unsigned? Ideally the Jets would rather re-sign Byfuglien, of course, but will they be able to?

And would Byfuglien even be enough for Snow given that the player could walk away July 1?

The Edmonton Oilers no question would have interest in Hamonic given their blue-line needs, but at what cost?

Other teams will also inquire now that the situation has gone public.

It will be interesting to say the least to see how this plays out.