The New Jersey Devils' potential trade of defenseman Dougie Hamilton is reportedly in a holding pattern as the team evaluates other options on the market. Several factors are contributing to the delay, including the Devils' desire to re-sign defenseman Luke Hughes and the availability of other right-handed defensemen on the trade market.
General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has stated that re-signing Hughes is the team's top priority. Hughes, a 21-year-old defenseman, is seen as a key part of the Devils' future. Securing him to a long-term contract is crucial for the team's long-term success. However, signing Hughes to a max contract could significantly impact the team's salary cap situation.
According to Puckpedia, the Devils have approximately $6.9 million in cap space. An eight-year contract for Hughes could carry an average annual value of over $7 million, potentially reaching close to $8 million. This would leave the Devils with limited financial flexibility to address other needs on their roster. Therefore, the Devils may need to clear cap space before finalizing a deal with Hughes.
One way to create cap space would be to trade Dougie Hamilton, who has three years remaining on his contract with an annual cap hit of $9 million. Hamilton's name has surfaced in trade rumors, particularly after the Devils' acquisitions on July 1. While trading Hamilton would free up considerable cap space, it's not the only option. The Devils could also explore trading other players, such as Ondrej Palat, whose contract carries a $6 million annual value for the next two years.
However, the market for right-handed defensemen is complex, with several other notable players potentially available. The Devils are likely monitoring the situations of players like Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames and Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Andersson has been the subject of trade speculation for several seasons, and the Flames might finally be ready to move him. Karlsson, while possessing a full no-move clause, could be an option for teams seeking an offensive-minded defenseman.
Hamilton also has a modified no-trade clause, allowing him to block trades to ten teams. This limits the Devils' options and could make it more difficult to find a suitable trade partner. Despite these challenges, several teams are reportedly interested in acquiring a right-handed defenseman like Hamilton. His ability to move the puck and contribute offensively from the blue line makes him a valuable asset.
Hamilton, who was acquired by the Devils in 2021, has been a consistent performer when healthy. However, injuries have hampered him in recent seasons, raising some concerns about his long-term durability. Last season, he recorded nine goals and 31 assists in 64 games.
Ultimately, the Devils' decision on whether to trade Hamilton will depend on several factors, including their ability to re-sign Hughes, the availability of other defensemen on the market, and the offers they receive for Hamilton. The team is likely weighing all of its options before making a final decision. It is possible that the Devils will choose to keep Hamilton on the roster and reassess his performance at next year's trade deadline.
