Report: Oilers' Chiarelli coveted Hamonic prior to trade request

While the watch is now on to see where the New York Islanders may deal defenseman Travis Hamonic, one team who could fit Hamonic's parameters has had interest in him for some time.

The Edmonton Oilers and general manager Peter Chiarelli have coveted the 25-year-old blueliner prior to Hamonic's trade request, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN's Insider Trading segment.

The Oilers would likely fit as a possible destination for Hamonic, whose request to be dealt from the Islanders was made public Thursday, given the belief that a Western Canadian team would be his desired location.

Though the interest by the Oilers is still there, LeBrun believes that Edmonton would reject a trade if the Islanders are asking for rookie defenseman Darnell Nurse in return.