Home / Sports / Devils' Hamilton Trade Rumors: The Real Story
Devils' Hamilton Trade Rumors: The Real Story
12 Mar
Summary
- New Jersey Devils management insists they never tried to trade Dougie Hamilton.
- Teams approached Devils assuming Hamilton was available due to rumors.
- Hamilton's contract and signing bonus made midseason trade difficult.
NHL trade rumors surrounding defenseman Dougie Hamilton and the New Jersey Devils intensified leading up to the trade deadline. However, the team's management has maintained that they never actively sought to trade the veteran player. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald clarified that while some teams reached out, assuming Hamilton might be available, the Devils did not place him on the market.
This speculation was partly fueled by Hamilton being a healthy scratch in January, which raised questions about his future with the team. Following this, Hamilton reportedly increased his intensity and performance on the blue line. His contract, with a $9 million annual cap hit extending to the 2027-28 season, along with a significant July signing bonus and trade protection provisions, would have also presented considerable hurdles for any midseason transaction.
Fitzgerald acknowledged that the Devils might re-evaluate their roster during the off-season. With several NHL-caliber defensemen already on the team, the front office could explore changes to bolster the forward group. Regardless of the trade buzz, Hamilton remains a crucial member of the Devils' defense.
