When no perfect match is evident, the speculation turns to the three-team magic fix.
Given that the targeted teams represent three or four of Canada's seven NHL representatives, the Travis Hamonic trade watch will not leave the front burner of continental hockey news any time soon.
Once news of the request -- which both player and team kept quiet for at least six weeks -- became public, the speculation over which team was a right match hit overdrive. But there's one wrinkle: If the Isles have been looking for a deal for so long with no result.