Why Won’t the Dougie Hamilton Trade Rumors Go Away
It has been a quiet off-season thus far for the New Jersey Devils outside of re-signing Jake Allen and Cody Glass, along with the signings of Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov. Now, the Devils do have limited salary cap space due to the pending extension for restricted free agent Luke Hughes. However, there is an infatuation and rumour that persists about Dougie Hamilton that won’t go away.
Despite numerous reports stating that there are no trade talks in the works for Hamilton, everyone believes he will be the odd man out when the Devils attempt to clear cap space for the Hughes extension. As DevilsNation.com has reported and written, trading Dougie Hamilton is a bad idea and would hurt the Devils chances of making the playoffs. Not to mention, none of the trade scenarios make sense for New Jersey.
However, many believe that if and when Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson are traded, then Dougie Hamilton will likely be moved due to the high value placed on right-handed shot defensemen in the NHL.
None of the Teams Linked to Dougie Hamilton Make Any Sense as Trade Partners
During an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, the topic of trading Dougie Hamilton was discussed, including whether he would be a member of the New Jersey Devils when the season concluded.
DevilsNation.com Transcriptions
Jonathan Davis: “Now my question to both, to everybody here, Jake, you, and Jim, does Dougie Hamilton finish the year as a Devil?”
Mick Kern: “Jim, what do you say?”
Jim Biringer: “I say yes, unless you’re getting Quinn Hughes in return from Vancouver. Where is he going? And what are your options? Do you really want to weaken the right side of your defence without getting something of value in return? I know Johnathan Kovacevic signed a new contract. I know and you know it makes Dougie Hamilton expendable, but I go back to the year that missed the playoffs, no Ryan Graves, no Damon Severson. They took a step back. They asked guys to do more than they were ready for.
Is Simon Nemec ready to take that next step? In the playoffs, it looked like he was. Seamus Casey. He’s not ready to go yet. He needs seasoning in the AHL. Johnathan Kovacevic is not starting the year with the team. He’s injured. He’s recovering from a knee injury from the playoffs. He’s probably going to have a conditioning stint down in the AHL before he comes back. Is he 100% healthy? Is Luke Hughes 100% healthy? I think you have to give it the year with Hamilton.
And JD mentioned it was a year of adjustments under Sheldon Keefe. That includes the defense. It includes everybody that was brought in as well. They’re adjusting to a new system. I’m not sure you want to give up a 50 to 60 point guy on your back end, just because you need offense. To me, I think you keep him for the year, and you examine it next season.”
The New Jersey Devils Should Not Trade Dougie Hamilton Just to Clear Cap Space
Jonathan Davis: “Look, and here’s the other thing. With New Jersey, they have not made the playoffs in back-to-back years since 2009, 2010, which is remarkable. Okay, we didn’t mention to (Evgenii) Dadonov that does, that should help the offense. I like that signing. I still think they need to get tougher at the end of the day. I do think, though, that Hamilton, because he doesn’t have the full no-trade, didn’t he? I think I thought he had a full no-trade. Is that? Am I wrong?
Biringer: “It’s a partial. It’s a partial no-trade as of July 1st.”
Davis: “So they can move him. All I’m saying is that I don’t think he’s going to finish the year as a member of the Devils.”
Again, there are a lot of moving parts with these Dougie Hamilton rumors and speculation. But if the Devils want to contend for a playoff spot this season, why would they want to move a top-pairing defenseman? That doesn’t make good business sense. Not to mention, he was featured in the Devils’ schedule release, so that should have closed all inuendoes about him being moved.
And if that didn’t seal the deal for everyone, reports are out there that Simon Nemec may want out, which would leave another hole on the right side of the Devils’ defense. And while teams take calls about players all the time, the Devils will do what is best for business. And what is best for business is to keep Dougie Hamilton until they decide the time is right to move him, if they choose to move him.
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