New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton is a big trade candidate to watch as we continue to inch closer to the deadline.
Over the weekend, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Hamilton’s agent, J.P. Barry, told him that he felt the Devils’ decision to scratch the veteran defenseman was a business one rather than because of his play. In addition, LeBrun shared that Barry informed him that the Devils have been working to trade Hamilton since the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and that the right-shot blueliner would consider clubs outside of his 10-team trade list if they are good fits.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman later reported on Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines that Hamilton rejected a trade to the San Jose Sharks during this past summer. This was after the Sharks finished the 2024-25 season with a 20-50-12 record and at the bottom of the NHL standings.
Friedman then touched on the Hamilton-Devils situation on his latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, noting that the relationship between the player and the club has soured.
“There’s no question there’s hard feelings here. Like, there’s no doubt at all,” Friedman said about the Devils and Hamilton.
Devils’ Hamilton Needs A Fresh Start Big Time
With how everything is playing out between the Devils and Hamilton right now, it is certainly hard not to believe that a trade is coming. It is clear that the 32-year-old defenseman would benefit from a change of scenery at this point. This is especially when noting that the Devils have been trying to find Hamilton a new home for a while now.
Hamilton’s contract is where things could get complicated with a potential move. The 2011 first-round pick has an expensive $9 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season, so he is far from cheap. He has also struggled this season, posting five goals, five assists, and a minus-7 rating. With this, his value is certainly not the highest right now, but it will be interesting to see if another club is willing to buy-low on the former 74-point defenseman from here.
