According to a report, New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton is expected to be out until the playoffs. With that news, it is suggested that the Devils will place Hamilton on the long-term injured reserve, which would free up about $9,000,000 million in cap space.
This move would allow the Devils to go out and acquire a defenseman to replace the services of Hamilton.
Earlier this month, the Devils announced that Hamilton’s injury is a torn left pectoral muscle and will keep him out indefinitely. Hamilton has tallied five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 22 games this season; leading all Devils defenseman. He last played on Nov. 28, 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders.
Hamilton is in his third season with New Jersey. After a difficult first season with the Devils in 2021-22, Hamilton exploded with a career-best 22 goals and 74 points in 82 games last year. He ultimately received Norris Trophy consideration but wasn’t named as a finalist. In an 82-game season, Hamilton was on pace for 66 goals, which would have been the second-best output of the 30-year-old’s career.
The Toronto, Ontario product signed a massive seven-year, $63,000,000 million contract with the Devils ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. The contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $9,000,000. Over his 12-year career, Hamilton has appeared in 771 games for the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey, scoring 142 goals and 461 points.
The Devils sit tied for fifth in the Metropolitan Division alongside the Washington Capitals with a 16-12-2 record and 34 points through 30 games this season
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