Travis Hamonic has been logging nearly 27 minutes per game since Lubomir Visnovsky was sidelined with a concussion. That brings Hamonic up to 25:11 minutes per contest this season. For his part, he feels that the added playing time makes him better. He doesn't do enough offensively to make him worth picking up in standard leagues, but his solid numbers when it comes to hits and blocked shots combined with his ice time make him a noteworthy player in less conventional formats.

Travis Hamonic (undisclosed) took part in Tuesday's practice. Hamonic feels good enough to play in the Islanders' opener on Friday. There was some speculation that he suffered a concussion as a result of a hit during Sunday's game.

Travis Hamonic's undisclosed injury might be a concussion. Hamonic left Sunday's game after sustaining the injury. He hasn't been ruled out for the Islanders' season opener or placed on the injured reserve yet.

Travis Hamonic suffered an undisclosed injury Sunday versus the Senators and did not return. Coach Jack Capuano did not divulge the injury but stated that Hamonic would be re-evaluated on Monday when the Islanders returned home. He had a mediocre fantasy season in 2013 with three goals and 10 points in 48 games. Look for Hamonic to get around 30 points this season.

New York Islanders' teammate John Tavares would like to see Travis Hamonic represent Canada at the Winter Olympics. Tavares doesn't think Hamonic's invitation to Canada's orientation camp is out of place. "I think people around the league are really going to see what a special player Travis is with his all-round game, the way he can skate, the way he plays the top players physically, in their face and tough, and he brings an offensive side to the game as well," Tavares told NHL.com. "That chip on his shoulder, that kind of western boy, it really works well for him. He's really stepped up his game. He does everything well." Hamonic probably won't be heading to Sochi, but he is a valuable defender on Long Island.

Travis Hamonic believes in the direction the Islanders are heading. He signed a seven-year deal on Friday. "We're building something special here," Hamonic said. "I never would have signed for this long if I didn't truly believe that. Seven years is a long time. To me, that's enough time to win a couple Stanley Cups." The 22-year-old became arguably the team's best defenseman last season and his future is very bright.

The New York Islanders have agreed to a seven-year extension with Travis Hamonic worth $27 million. He was a restricted free agent, coming off his entry-level deal. Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald form New York's shutdown pair on Long Island, but neither of them has much in the way of fantasy value.

New York Islanders extend qualifying offer to Travis Hamonic. The 22-year-old defenseman became arguably the Islanders' best blueliner this season and the two parties are reportedly in discussions for a long-term deal. Hamonic will remain a restricted free agent while the two sides talk and we imagine the Isles would match almost any offer sheet Hamonic received. The Isles also extended qualifying offers to defenseman Thomas Hickey, goalie Kevin Poulin and forwards Brett Gallant and David Ullstrom.

The New York Islanders are negotiating long-term contracts for Joshua Bailey and Travis Hamonic, according to beat writer Arthur Staple. Bailey and Hamonic are both scheduled to be restricted free agents and it shouldn't surprise anyone GM Garth Snow is trying to lock them down for the long term. While Bailey never really lived up to expectations as a former first-round pick, Hamonic has become arguably the Islanders' best defenseman. Staple also noted the team was working on short-term deals for goalie Kevin Poulin and defenseman Thomas Hickey. Free agency opens on July 5.

Travis Hamonic isn't worried that the Islanders are down 2-1 in their first-round series versus Pittsburgh. "We can't be down. We played a great game," he said following Sunday's overtime loss. "We battled back against one of the tougher teams in the league. It's a loss, so it stinks, we're mad, but you can't dwell on it. We'll be ready for Game 4." New York was picked apart in Game 1, but they've been competitive and right there with the Penguins in the past two games of the series. Hamonic doesn't have a point yet, but the shutdown defenseman has produced 14 hits, eight blocks and 14 penalty minutes in three games versus the Penguins.