The old saying in the NHL is, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” and right now, a significant plume is rising over Newark. The latest Dougie Hamilton news, courtesy of hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, suggests the New Jersey Devils are not just considering, but are actively exploring, the possibility of trading the veteran defenseman. This isn’t just offseason chatter; this is a calculated move by a front office at a crossroads.
Friedman’s report on his “32 Thoughts Podcast” was the match that lit the fuse. He didn’t just speculate; he stated that Hamilton’s name is “out there” and that the Devils have already engaged with a couple of teams. This isn’t a GM kicking tires; this is a team gauging the market for a player with a significant contract. At 32, Hamilton is still a premier offensive defenseman, but his $9 million AAV through 2027-28 is a hefty price tag, especially for a team looking to retool on the fly. The key detail? His no-movement clause has transitioned to a 10-team trade list, and his bonus was just paid on July 1. The timing is no coincidence; the financial hurdles for an acquiring team have just been lowered.
What a Dougie Hamilton Trade Means for the Devils’ Offseason Plans
From my perspective, this is less about moving on from Hamilton the player and more about moving on from Hamilton the contract. A trade would be a strategic maneuver to unlock the cap space necessary to address more pressing needs. The Devils are crying out for reinforcements in their top-six forward group and desperately need a reliable third-line center to solidify their lineup down the middle.
Freeing up $9 million in cap space provides General Manager Tom Fitzgerald with the flexibility to aggressively pursue high-impact forwards in free agency or via trade. While Hamilton’s offensive prowess from the blue line would be missed, the potential to add two or even three quality offensive pieces could be a net gain for a team that struggled with scoring depth last season. This is the kind of bold move that could reshape the entire offensive identity of the team for the upcoming season.
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