The writing is on the wall in Newark. When the New Jersey Devils made Dougie Hamilton a healthy scratch against Winnipeg only to slot him back in immediately after, it wasn’t just a coaching decision—it was a signal flare to the rest of the league. While TSN’s Pierre LeBrun notes that no deal is imminent, the intent is clear: the Devils are ready to move on.
But here is the immediate reality check for hopeful fans: Moving a $9 million AAV contract with two years remaining is a massive undertaking, even with the salary cap rising. LeBrun has linked the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes to the veteran defenseman, but as an analyst looking at the cap math, this is far more complicated than a simple roster swap. Let’s dive into why this trade is so difficult to execute and where Hamilton might actually land.
The “Complicating Factor” of $9 Million
Let’s be real about the situation. Hamilton is an elite offensive generator when healthy, but his injury history combined with that price tag makes him a distressed asset. The Devils management has unfortunately cast the club in a bad light by scratching a star player, essentially devaluing him publicly. Now, they are looking for a top-six forward or a third-line center in return. That is a steep ask for a player you just benched.
The Devils are in a bind. They need to clear space and shake up the roster, but Hamilton possesses a 10-team trade list. He is reportedly willing to be flexible, which helps, but the financials are the real enemy here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs: A Cap Space Pipe Dream?
The connection to the Toronto Maple Leafs is inevitable. Toronto always needs help on the back end, and Hamilton is a Toronto native. It’s the story that writes itself. However, from a management perspective, this is a nightmare.
The Leafs are perpetually pressed against the cap. They are also thin on draft capital and high-end prospects—the exact “trade bait” New Jersey would want. For this to work, the Devils would need to retain up to 50% of Hamilton’s salary (knocking him down to $4.5M). Even then, Toronto would likely need to send a roster player back to make the money work. Unless New Jersey is desperate to dump him, I don’t see the Leafs having the assets to entice the Devils into eating that much dead cap space for two years.
The Carolina Hurricanes: The Logical Reunion?
The Carolina Hurricanes are the more intriguing option. Hamilton had some of his best years in Raleigh. The Canes have the cap flexibility and a deep war chest of tradeable assets that Toronto lacks. They could absorb the hit without nearly as much retention.
However, fit is everything for Rod Brind’Amour. The Canes let Hamilton walk once before; do they really want to commit $9 million (or close to it) to bring him back? While they have the means, they might lack the interest. Carolina is a machine built on defensive responsibility, and Hamilton’s freelance style has always been a point of contention for purist coaches.
My Verdict: If New Jersey wants to move him, they are going to have to lose the trade. They will either have to retain significant salary or take back a bad contract in return. Expect this to drag out until the NHL trade deadline, but don’t be surprised if a mystery team with cap floor issues enters the chat.
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The post Is Dougie Hamilton Done in Jersey? Examining the Trade Scenarios for the $9M Defenseman appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
