The New Jersey Devils and defenceman Dougie Hamilton are heading for a divorce.
After several failed attempts to try and move the veteran blueliner, trade talks have ramped up in a big way in New Jersey, and now even Hamilton’s agent is involved:
New Jersey Devils Dougie was informed today that he will be not be playing now that Kovacevic is back in the lineup. In our view, this decision is all about business rather than his game right now. Singling him out seems very calculated at this stage. Dougie has a 10-team trade list and there have been efforts to trade him going back to the draft last year. We have made it clear to the Devils that we will consider teams outside our list and other creative ways to get to a team that is mutually acceptable.
Hamilton is going to be no easy move, as he’s under contract for two more seasons at $9 million AAV. His production has slipped a bit this season, recording just 10 points in 40 games this season. He’s averaging 21:40 of ice-time per game, and plays on both sides of special teams.
Hamilton’s best season came back in 2023, when he recorded 74 points for the Devils, and even though he’s not producing at the same rate this season, with a change of scenery, and some more support around him, fully expect to see Hamilton turn around his game.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun has been all over these trade talks and reached out to Fitzgerald for more on the Devils’ roster plans:
As you know, we just put Nemec back in the lineup on Thursday. He’s a young guy who we want getting his game back, where he had been easily our best defensemen before his injury. Pesce’s play speaks for itself, he isn’t going anywhere. And Kovacevic coming back, gives our roster a spark we are looking for, and he was our best defensive defenseman all of last year. And that’s what we want with our lineup now. This is simply Dougie being the odd-man out with where our right-side is- fully healthy for the first time all year. This is business. Business of our lineup!
There’s plenty of interest in Hamilton, and a trade shouldn’t take too much longer, especially now that it’s been made public. The Devils tried to move him in their Quinn Hughes offer, but the Canucks wanted a left-handed defenceman instead, and then finished off their deal with the Wild.
As far as potential destinations, don’t be surprised to see the San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs involved in advanced talks.
