How will the New Jersey Devils Approach Dougie Hamilton This Offseason?
The New Jersey Devils have some roster decisions heading into the offseason. Beyond hiring a President of Hockey Operations and a general manager, there are decisions to be made about who will help this team moving forward. Speculation about defenseman Dougie Hamilton will pick up again as he returns to the spotlight.
NHL Rumors: Have Things Changed for Dougie Hamilton and the New Jersey Devils?
Last offseason, there were mixed reports about Hamilton and whether or not the Devils were going to move off of him. However, as reported, with injuries to Johnathan Kovacevic and other defenseman, and with former GM Tom Fitzgerald wanting to compete for a playoff spot, the Devils needed Hamilton.
While Hamilton’s $9 million was a slight issue in signing Luke Hughes to a seven-year deal with a $9 million AAV, that deal could have been signed earlier, and the Hamilton stuff could have been addressed later. Again, Hamilton had a modified no-trade clause, which was a 10-team trade list, so he used it to his advantage.
It was part of the reason the Devils couldn’t free up the money to get Quinn Hughes. However, that is a problem you figure out after. Regardless, New Jersey felt it was necessary to healthy scratch him on January 11th. That was a play to force him to waive his trade clause to get a deal done, not poor performance. It was a slippery slope that would have had consequences moving forward.
Since then, Hamilton has 25 points in 32 games, including 13 points in the first 16 games back in the lineup. Again, speculation ramped up around the Hamilton deadline, but nothing happened. It depends on who you want to believe about whether he was available.
NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils Want to Make a Dougie Hamilton Trade That Makes Sense
During an appearance on “The Point” on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio with Jake Hahn and Victoria Matiash. Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com, Full Press Media, and theDevilsNation.com was asked about the future of New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton and whether he will finish his contract with the team or will be traded.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Victoria Matiash: “We’re joined by Jim Biringer, who is a writer for Full Press NHL, covers the Devils, but also just covers everything hockey. One last one, Jim from me on the Devils, and then we’ll move on to some teams that are actually going to see some playoff action. Two years from now, 2028, Dougie Hamilton, does he go all the way through, or is he moved?”
Jim Biringer: “I think he’s gonna be moved. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s moved this summer. Let’s be honest. Like everybody talked about it last summer. I think July 1st comes, pay the signing bonus, and he becomes more attractive, right? Real cash is less than $10 million bucks, right? Like teams are, teams will want to bring them in. I think once the signing bonus is paid, he’s going to be gone, and they’ll go from there.
Do they have a new head coach? Again, there are a lot of questions. Again, not enough time, because I don’t want to steal Kooli’s (Steve Kouleas) time.”
NHL Rumors: Hischier, Ovechkin, Cassidy, Smith, and Wiebusch
Again, with the final $7.4 million signing bonus about to be paid out on July 1st, 2026, and the real cash at $1 million this season, along with $5.25 million in real cash in the final year of 2027-28, he is easier to move and more attractive.
It will be interesting to see what direction the New Jersey Devils decide to go in with Dougie Hamilton. However, it is very unlikely he will finish his career in Jersey.
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