The New Jersey Devils see defenseman Dougie Hamilton make the list on the annual NHL Network rankings of top defensemen in the League. Hamilton was ranked the 19th-best defenseman heading into the 2024-25 season, dropping seven spots. Last season, Hamilton was ranked 12th best defenseman by NHL Network.
Make it another Top 20 appearance for Dougie Hamilton! @NJDevils | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/9KDmv5URu8
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 28, 2024
Last week, the Devils saw Jack Hughes ranked the ninth-best center, with captain Nico Hischier ranked the 20th-best center by NHL Network.
Dougie Hamilton had a challenging year. He was injured for most of the season with a torn pec muscle. Hamilton recorded 16 points (five goals and 11 assists) in just 20 games, averaging around 21 minutes of ice time. He thought he could return toward the end of the season, but Hamilton had season-ending surgery. The Devils missed their number one defenseman, especially his defensive partner Jonas Siegenthaler.
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The Devils missed him on the blueline, especially on the power play. He has a booming shot from the point. He had eight power-play goals during the 2022-23 season, and before the injury, four of his five goals were on the power play. That is the type of impact he gives to the Devils.
There is a reason he is lower on the ranking this season—injuries play a role. However, when he is in the lineup, he is still a top-20 defenseman in the NHL. He slots every other defensemen into the proper position. You can tell certain players can’t handle the minutes when he is missing from the lineup.
In his second season, after signing a seven-year, $63 million deal, which carried an AAV of $9 million, in the summer of 2021, Hamilton had 74 points (22 goals and 52 assists) in 82 games. Hamilton’s 22 goals in the 2022-23 regular season tied Barry Beck‘s single-season record (1977-78) for most goals by a defenseman in a season in the New Jersey Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts franchise history.
The 31-year-old defenseman was originally drafted ninth overall in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. He played three seasons in Boston before being traded to the Calgary Flames on June 26, 2015. The Flames signed him to a six-year contract. He played three seasons in Calgary before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes along with Michael Ferland and the rights to Adam Fox for Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.
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In his first season with the Hurricanes, Dougie Hamilton scored 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) and helped them reach the 2019 Eastern Conference Final. In addition, he led Carolina defensemen in scoring in each of the following two seasons. Hamilton had 40 points in 47 games and 42 points in 55 games.
Again, Hamilton’s most significant issue is health. If he stays healthy and does not miss time, he can still be an effective player. Hamilton plays in all areas of the game.
The Devils upgraded their defense this off-season. New Jersey signed Brett Pesce, Hamilton’s former defense partner in Carolina, and Brenden Dillon. You can argue that Hamilton is an off-season acquisition because he is returning from an injury.
Here they are!
What do you think of our Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list? #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/dh8W4JkLN9
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 28, 2024
NHL Network ranked the top five defensemen as Cale Makar (No.1), Quinn Hughes (No.2), Victor Hedman (No.3), Roman Josi (No.4) and Miro Hesikanen (No.5).
