from Arthur Staple of Newsday,

If there were a simple move to be made, it would have been made by now. But we're talking about the Islanders' best defenseman on arguably the most cap-friendly contract (four years remaining after this one at an average salary of $3.875 million) for a top-pair, righthanded defenseman in the NHL. That's rainbow unicorn territory in its uniqueness.

So now that the request to be moved to, or closer to Hamonic's Winnipeg home for family reasons is public, what are Snow's options? Here's a primer on which defensemen the Isles may want, given that TSN reported earlier this week that the most interested list comprises these five teams:

JACOB TROUBA, JETS

He's righthanded, he's got a physical side and he could easily be a future star. Still only 21, the question for the Islanders is can Trouba jump in and play 23 minutes a night the way Hamonic does? The question for the Jets, the same one for all the other teams on this list, is would you give up one of your top young defensemen for Hamonic?

T.J. BRODIE, FLAMES

The closest match to Hamonic in age (25, same as Hamonic), contract (five years, $4.6 million per year) and usage (plays 25:19 a game). The Flames have allowed a league-high 75 goals this season, but Brodie is still likely the most attractive defenseman on this list despite being a lefty who could play his off side.

read on for more names...