Dougie Hamilton Trade Talks Involve Four Teams as Devils Manage Cap Space

The New Jersey Devils are engaged in trade discussions involving veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who is under contract for three more seasons at an average annual value of $9 million. The contract was signed in 2021 as part of a seven-year, $63 million deal, and includes a no-trade provision that changed on July 1, 2024, from a full no-movement clause to a modified no-trade clause that allows Hamilton to block a trade to ten NHL teams.

According to reporting by James Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, at least four NHL teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and the Utah Hockey Club, have shown interest in acquiring Hamilton. Murphy cited an unnamed NHL executive who stated that teams are currently calling the Devils about Hamilton. The executive indicated that the Maple Leafs have already looked into him and noted that Toronto is pursuing multiple options for their blue line, particularly players with offensive capabilities. The executive also said that Dallas, Detroit, and Utah are actively pursuing right-shot defensemen who can contribute offensively and improve their respective power plays.

Elliotte Friedman reported on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Dougie Hamilton’s name has been involved in trade conversations and that the Devils have spoken to multiple teams. Friedman stated that although he did not have a clear sense of the likelihood that a trade would occur, Hamilton’s name has “been out there a little bit.” He also confirmed that Hamilton’s July 1 bonus had already been paid.

During the 2023–24 regular season, Hamilton recorded nine goals and 31 assists for a total of 40 points across 64 games, and he finished the season with a +8 rating. In the postseason, he appeared in five games, registering two assists while averaging more than 25 minutes of ice time per game. His highest time on ice was 31 minutes and 16 seconds during Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes. In the 2022–23 season, Hamilton posted 74 points over 82 games. He has surpassed the 40-point mark in eight separate NHL seasons. Hamilton is listed at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 229 pounds. He was selected ninth overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Hamilton currently holds the highest cap hit on the New Jersey Devils roster at $9 million per season, which is higher than Timo Meier’s $8.8 million, Jack Hughes’s $8 million, and Jesper Bratt’s $7.875 million.

New Jersey General Manager Tom Fitzgerald stated that his top offseason priority following the Free Agent Frenzy was to sign restricted free agent Luke Hughes. The Devils have made several roster changes, including signing forwards Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov through free agency and bringing Russian prospect Arseni Gritsyuk over from the KHL. The team also re-signed goaltender Jake Allen. However, the Devils have not replaced Tyler Toffoli, who departed at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, and there is an identified need for a third-line center.

On defense, New Jersey has multiple right-shot defensemen, including Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey. Jonathan Kovacevic underwent knee surgery and is not expected to return until late November or early December. Although Nemec and Casey were previously viewed as potential trade pieces, current indications suggest the Devils are instead exploring the possibility of moving Hamilton and clearing his cap hit.

According to NHL futures listed by BetMGM, the Devils have +1800 odds to win the Stanley Cup. FanDuel and ESPN BET list New Jersey’s odds at +1600, while the New York Post has reported their odds at 19-to-1. BetMGM lists New Jersey at +850 to win the Eastern Conference. At one point earlier in the offseason, the Devils’ odds to win the Metropolitan Division shifted from +230 to +450. These changes in betting odds have occurred in the context of the Devils’ early playoff exit, injuries to players such as Jack Hughes, and trade discussions involving Hamilton.

No official decision has been announced by the Devils regarding a trade, and Dougie Hamilton remains a member of the team. Discussions with interested teams are ongoing.