James Nichols
The biggest takeaway from the New Jersey Devils‘ exit interviews is the one that didn’t happen.
Star defenseman Dougie Hamilton “politely declined” to interview with the media, remaining in hiding after his agent went public this winter with displeasure over a healthy scratch.
It’s not the first time Hamilton has denied an interview. New Jersey Hockey Now has requested him on three prior ocassions, and he’s declined to speak each time.
In fact, the last time we heard from Hamilton publicly was on December 17th, 2025.
Amid a plethora of Quinn Hughes trade speculation, word surfaced that there had been a deal or two nixed by Devils players in Tom Fitzgerald‘s efforts to clear cap space.
“I do believe the Devils have had a couple of deals vetoed. Okay? I do believe that. I don’t know who, I don’t know what, but I do believe that’s happened,” Elliotte Friedman said on an episode of 32 Thoughts at the time. “There’s too much noise out there for that not to have occurred.”
It was later confirmed Hamilton blocked at least one trade to the San Jose Sharks.
Sitting at his locker after practice on December 17th, New Jersey Hockey Now asked Hamilton if he had been approached to waive his no-move clause. Hamilton’s response side-stepped the question.
“You know, nothing’s changed since the start for me,” Hamilton explained to New Jersey Hockey Now. “I had the same comments at the start of the year. So, I’ll stay with what I said at the start, and it’s simple as that.”
Then, things came to a head.
The Devils made it known Hamilton was set to sit as a healthy scratch on January 11th vs. the Winnipeg Jets.
Hamilton’s agent—J.P. Barry—released a fiery statement, criticizing the way the Devils for trying to force his hand at a trade.
“In our view, this decision is all about business rather than his game right now. Singling him out seems very calculated at this stage,” Barry said. “Dougie has a 10-team trade list, and there have been efforts to trade him going back to the draft last year. We have made it clear to the Devils that we will consider teams outside our list and other creative ways to get to a team that is mutually acceptable.”
Fitzgerald denied the allegations, explaining it was performance related and was just “business of our lineup.”
Ultimately, Hamilton was never moved. At the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, Fitzgerald even explained he was never looking to move the star defenseman, making the mess he created even more confusing.
In the remaining 37 games of the season, Hamilton’s play improved scoring seven goals and 28 points.
Yet, he’s been silent ever since with no willingness to comment on any matter whatsoever.
Make no mistake. This is completely on Fitzgerald, who was fired as Devils GM 10 days ago.
However, Hamilton’s silence since the debacle indicates his unhappiness with his current situation. In fact, it indicates a near-end to his Devils tenure.
Hamilton has two years remaining on his contract that carries a $9 million cap hit. He’ll be paid out a $7 million signing bonus on July 1st.
The Devils will have a new general manager in charge soon enough. Perhaps he can mend the reltionship.
That seems unlikely, however, as New Jersey Hockey now is told he’s open to a new opportunity.
Hamilton owns a 10-team trade list that’s perhaps expanded as his agent indicated they’re open to more possibilites.
The silence speaks volumes as it appears Hamilton’s future with the Devils is almost up.
