Dougie Hamilton’s Agent Speaks Out After Devils' Decision

“Dougie Hamilton practiced on the fourth defensive pair on Saturday,” Friedman said. “The Devils play the Jets on Sunday, and he won’t play. He’s already been informed he will not be in the lineup.

“Now, Hamilton did move to a partial no-trade clause this season. He can be traded to only one of 10 teams; the other 21 he can block. One thing we are aware of, in the summer, San Jose did try to trade for him, and Hamilton blocked that move. The way it’s going now for the Sharks, maybe he changes his mind. They’re one of the best teams in the NHL to watch.”

Hamilton’s agent, J.P. Barry, believes New Jersey’s current handling of his client is not performance-related, as reported by TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

“Dougie was informed today that he will not be playing now that Kovacevic is back in the lineup,” Barry said. “In our view, this decision is all about business rather than his game right now.”

Barry said his client is being “singled out” in what appears to be a calculated push to get him to accept a trade.

“Singling him out seems very calculated at this stage,” Barry said. “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.”

Despite speculation about a possible mutual contract termination as a potential solution in case a trade can't be completed, Friedman made clear that Hamilton’s upcoming $7.4 million bonus next season effectively rules that out.

“The one thing I can tell you is that people were wondering if he would terminate his contract,” Friedman said.

The Devils have lost seven of their last nine games and are tied for the third-fewest points in the Eastern Conference with 46 in 44 games.