Sources: No Plans in the Works for the Devils to Trade Dougie Hamilton

It is no secret that the New Jersey Devils are looking to make a trade happen this offseason. Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald is looking to upgrade his forward group as he maneuvers through the Luke Hughes extension talks. As the Devils look to clear cap space, a name being floated is defenseman Dougie Hamilton.

There are numerous reports, including one from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast, that his name is being mentioned as the Devils have been discussing Hamilton with other teams.

“The next biggest question for the Devils is Dougie Hamilton. He went from a full no-move clause to a partial no-trade. I’m just curious here to see what happens. They paid him as bonus on July 1,” Friedman said. “I don’t have a great feel for it in terms of percentage chances that anything occurs with him, but I know that his name was kind of out there a little bit. And I had heard they’ve been talking to a couple of teams. So we’ll see where that goes.”

According to sources close to Full Press Hockey, there are no plans to trade the defenseman.

“His no-trade list is submitted, which is standard practice. As far as trade talks go, there are none,” said the source.

So it begs the question, then, why would his name be out there? Could it be his contract? The Devils just paid out Hamilton’s bonus of $10.55 million on July 1st, and he is owed $14.6 million in real money over the next three seasons.

He is due $1 million in actual salary this season and next. He is owed another bonus of $7.4 million on July 1, 2026, and in the final year of his contract, which does not include a signing bonus, Hamilton is owed $5.25 million in actual salary.

So the contract is tradeable after next season if the Devils choose to go down that route, which they have yet to decide. And while teams need a right-handed shot defenseman, using Hamilton as trade bait does not make sense for a team that was second in team defense in the NHL last season. He still brings value to the Devils.

“The Devils still have a need on the right side of their defence despite their pipeline,” another source said to Full Press Hockey. “Unless they are getting a right-shot defenseman in return, what is the rush to trade him, if at all? How does that help the team win now?” 

New Jersey Devils: New Jersey Devils Offseason Hindered By Luke Hughes Extension

Ottawa Senators: Ottawa Senators Sign Eller, But Opt To Retain Cap Flexibility

Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto Maple Leafs Management Finally Won Contract Negotiations

Montreal Canadiens: Montreal Canadiens Acquire Defenseman Noah Dobson

And that is the point. Shedding salary to upgrade the offence is all well and good, but is Johnathan Kovacevic a top-four defenseman in the NHL? And will he be ready to go come the start of the season? Are Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey prepared to take the next steps in their development and be everyday players for the Devils?

Hamilton is still capable of scoring 50-60 points a season, if not more. While he only scored 40 points (nine goals and 31 assists), including 15 power-play points, in 64 games, as he missed the rest of the season due to an injury, you are taking away from a strength and relying on players once again to do more than they should at this stage. And while he missed time over the last couple of seasons, the New Jersey Devils could still use him. It’s not like they have someone on the team who can replace him right now.

The pressure is on Tom Fitzgerald to put a consistent winning hockey team on the ice. New Jersey can ill afford to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Not to mention, the Devils are losing a Dougie Hamilton trade unless Quinn Hughes is included in the return. The Devils have been connected to Quinn Hughes after Vancouver Canucks President Jim Rutherford stated Quinn wanted to play with his brothers.

But as of now, there is no trade in the works.

“Nothing with Vancouver is in the works. Of course, the Devils want to get Quinn Hughes, but the Canucks have not been informed he wants out. They are still trying to keep him there long-term,” another source indicated to Full Press Hockey. 

Outside of Vancouver, what are the options available? There are not many options. Plus, his 10-team no-trade clause will be a factor at some point.

It is hard enough to find right-shot defensemen in the NHL. When a team like New Jersey has many of them, that is not a bad problem to have. Remember, Fitzgerald loves to add to even positions of strength. So why would he make his team weaker when his orders are to win?

The temperature is rising in New Jersey, and this is a big season not only for the players but also for the Devils management. With expectations high in New Jersey, keeping Dougie Hamilton is the right move if the plan is to be a consistent playoff team.

And indications are that it is the plan. So expect to see Dougie Hamilton on the Devils roster come opening night.