The New Jersey Devils trade talks with Dougie Hamilton have slowed down, a source told New Jersey Hockey Now over the weekend.
As reported during Friday’s episode of Devils Rink Report, with Luke Hughes‘ recent injury and Hamilton’s improved play, those trade talks have cooled off.
During Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, insider Elliotte Friedman echoed the report.
“So, Dougie Hamilton. The last couple of weeks, that’s a big name we’ve all been talking about. Luke Hughes was hurt, and he’s going to be out,” Friedman explained. “He’s trying to come back without having surgery. So, he’s going to be out for a little bit. What that’s done is it has brought the Dougie Hamilton derby to a crawl, or a standstill. Now, I don’t think it’s impossible; I think if someone came to the Devils with something they couldn’t say no to, they would do it. But, at least for the time being, the Devils need him. He’s played very well, so it’s slowed this down.”
The Devils scratched Hamilton two weeks ago while visiting the Winnipeg Jets for “performance purposes.” Hamilton’s agent, J.P. Barry, went public with comment, explaining he and the veteran defenseman believed the Devils were attempting to force their hand in a trade.
Hamilton returned to the lineup the next day, and in six games since sitting as a healthy scratch, the 32-year-old blueliner has dished seven assists. The Devils have a 5-1-0 record in that span.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams that expressed interest in the Devils defenseman.
In 45 games this season, Hamilton’s netted five goals and 17 points.
Hamilton has two years remaining on his contract following the 2025-26 season. He owns a 10-team trade list and full no-move clause through the remainder of his contract.
The Devils signed Hamilton to a seven-year contract on July 28th, 2021.
