The New Jersey Devils are up against the salary cap, as they need to clear cap space to sign Luke Hughes to an extension. Some of the names being brought up in trade rumors are Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer, and Dougie Hamilton. However, most recently, it appears that Hamilton’s name is gaining momentum around the league.
?Devils Thought of the Day ?
Trading Dougie Hamilton is a Terrible Idea#njdevils pic.twitter.com/dFzEULHaqs
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 6, 2025
As Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said on his final 32 Thoughts Podcast, he heard the Devils have been talking to teams about him, as the player knows his name is out there.
“The next biggest question for the Devils is Dougie Hamilton. He went from a full no-move clause to a partial no-trade. I’m just curious here to see what happens. They paid him as bonus on July 1,” Friedman said. “I don’t have a great feel for it in terms of percentage chances that anything occurs with him, but I know that his name was kind of out there a little bit. And I had heard they’ve been talking to a couple of teams. So we’ll see where that goes.”
New Jersey Devils Rumors: Dougie Hamilton’s No-Move Turns to a 10-Team NTC on July 1st
Whether this happens remains to be seen, but it would not be the best idea for Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald to trade Hamilton unless another right-shot top-pair defenseman is coming back in return. Everyone has heard the talk about Quinn Hughes and his wanting to play with his brothers, Jack and Luke. However, as of now, he remains a member of the Vancouver Canucks.
Elliotte Friedman talks about Dougie Hamilton on the latest episode 32 Thoughts and he knows his name is out there.
Hamilton 10 NTC list. All well and good you get a forward back but look at that right side. Devils would take a step back similar to what happened with Severson &…
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 6, 2025
So, unless the Devils have the plan to ask Dougie Hamilton to waive his 10-team no-trade clause to go to Vancouver so they can acquire Quinn Hughes, why would the Devils want to weaken the right side of their defense to clear $9 million in cap space? That is not what winning organizations do. Not to mention, Hamilton wanted to come to New Jersey in the summer of 2021 when he was a free agent. Additionally, Hamilton was a significant factor in the Devils playoff appearance in the 2022-2023 season.
Dougie Hamilton, signed 7x$9M by NJ, is one of the league’s top offensive defenceman. He’s got an elite shot and loves to use it and drives play like few other blueliners in the league. Does have some issues in his own end and has a tendency to take bad penalties. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/oyKmbcFxyj
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 28, 2021
First of all, Hamilton is a top-pairing right-shot defenseman. Those types of players do not grow on trees. And as TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button has stated, “There is no 7/11 hockey store where you can get a top-four defenseman or top-six forward. That place does not exist.”
Tom Fitzgerald: “Luke Hughes is My Number One Priority“
Hamilton, in year one with the Devils, had 74 points (22 goals and 52 assists) in 82 games, including 28 power-play points, and changed the direction of the 2023 first-round series against the Rangers as he scored the overtime game-winning goal in Game 3 to get the Devils back in the series. They never looked back, winning the series in seven games.
Yes, his point totals and games played decreased over the last two seasons as he dealt with season-ending injuries. Although he was able to return for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he was not 100 percent. However, he still managed a +8 rating in 64 games, recording 40 points (nine goals and 31 assists). He also had 15 power-play points. These are points you are asking others to take on.
We all can admit that Hamilton might not be the best defensively, nor is Luke Hughes, who is looking for a new contract. There is still room for improvement in Luke’s game as well. Both turn the puck over in their own zone. Not to mention, the decision-making on passes from the defensive zone is suspect at best.
However, many people want to see Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey promoted this season. Nemec will get a look to earn his spot back with Johnathan Kovacevic starting the year on LTIR. But to expect Nemec and/or Casey to fill Hamilton’s role on the power play, one is asking a lot. Not to mention what Hamilton does on the penalty kill. Hamilton plays in all situations, averaging over 20 minutes a game, if not more. Therefore, it is challenging to replace a top-pairing defenseman who can still effectively play in that role.
Devils Rumors: Dawson Mercer Continues to Be a Trade Target
Again, if Tom Fitzgerald had taken this route, he would not have learned from the 2023-24 season, when Damon Severson and Ryan Graves were not brought back. Fitzgerald thought Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid were the best options in goal. He was asking more from John Marino (now in Utah), Kevin Bahl (now in Calgary), a rookie in Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemec to take on more than they were ready for.
The Devils missed the playoffs that season. They try that plan again, but this time with two 35-year-old goalies and asking Nemec and Casey to take on roles they are not ready for. Pesce would be taking over as the number one guy on the right side, which is not a recipe for success.
There is pressure on Tom Fitzgerald and the Devils to win and get back to the playoffs. Expectations are high. New Jersey can’t take a step back and miss the playoffs. That can’t happen. Losing Hamilton via trade without a top-four defenseman coming back will ensure the Devils miss the playoffs. Remember, New Jersey barely made the playoffs in the 2024-25 season with Jack Hughes, Hamilton, and Jonas Siegenthaler out of the lineup.
New Jersey Devils Rumors: Devils Connected to Jason Robertson
So, regardless of what you think of the player and what he does on the ice, the Devils are not a better team without Dougie Hamilton on it. Just because the team needs cap space does not mean moving his $9 million is the best way to do it. There are other options to secure the necessary cap space for Luke Hughes and his extension.
Plus, you have to wonder what a second season under Sheldon Keefe‘s system looks like for not only Dougie Hamilton but the rest of the team. It does take time to adjust.
Even with the other holes the Devils need to fill, it would not be wise to trade a player like Hamilton unless something of value is coming back in return. And right now, what options are there? There aren’t many options out there, so the best decision is to keep him and let the season play out. You never know; he might surprise some of you.
