James Nichols
The New Jersey Devils’ offseason never felt over.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald negotiated a few solid contracts, keeping Jake Allen and Cody Glass in the fold, while also reeling in a few necessary depth pieces that should be a net positive in the scoring department.
Yet, the Devils didn’t make a splash in the last week, after making waves last summer reconstructing the blueline and goaltending.
Their downfall in 2024-25 was finding the back of the net. And although they suffered in that area last season, the issue began in March 2024 when they traded Tyler Toffoli and never replaced him.
For a team that wants to take the next step and evolve into a Stanley Cup contender, they probably shouldn’t overlook that deficit, and it didn’t sound like Fitzgerald planned on hoping his work on July 1st would be enough.
When the Devils GM was asked at his free agency press conference if he was finished adding, he side-stepped the question.
“My number one priority now is signing Luke Hughes,” Fitzgerald responded.
Fair answer. Luke Hughes is quickly evolving into one of, if not, New Jersey’s best defensemen. That may be why we’ve recently heard a new name pop up in trade discussions. One that perhaps not many expected, but perhaps is a logical trade chip.
Word got out on Sunday that the Devils have had some discussions involving Dougie Hamilton in a potential trade.
Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen. However, there’s base to potentially moving New Jersey’s No.1 defenseman.
First, before Elliotte Friedman spilled the beans that the Devils are at least entertaining the idea of moving Hamilton, he previously stated that teams wanted to know what New Jersey’s plans were for the 32-year-old blueliner.
Translation: the ball is in New Jersey’s court to a certain degree in terms of a Hamilton trade. They will have to get over the hurdle that is the veteran defenseman’s 10-team trade list. Yet, qualified, inquiring teams will call and have to meet the demands of Fitzgerald, as opposed to the reverse situation.
The Devils can afford to entertain a trade of this magnitude, too.
Last summer, Fitzgerald brought in Johnathan Kovacevic who turned out to be a revelation. He’s not the offensive stalwart Hamilton has been in his career, but he and Jonas Siegenthaler made up one of the NHLs top shut down pairings. Kovacevic will begin the year on the sideline as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but is expected to be back in 2025-26.
Yet, the Devils still have Brett Pesce to man top pairing duties, while giving runway to Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey, both of which at various points last season showed flashes of brilliance. Kovacevic will eventually be back.
It’s certainly a risk, yet, it’s not like Hamilton hasn’t been a bit of a slowly depreciating asset. Most of his 2023-24 season was spent on the sideline when he missed the final 60 games to injury. Last year, Hamilton scored nine goals and 40 points in 64 games, again, missing a handful of time.
The Devils wouldn’t be selling short on Hamilton. He’s just two seasons removed from a 22-goal, 74-point season in 82 games. Had he not become injured in 2023-24, Hamilton would have finished the season, scoring nearly 66 points.
Plenty of teams would love to add that kind of offensive production to their blueline.
The good news is, if the Devils end up shipping out Hamilton, they have Hughes rising through their ranks who could provide similar production.
A trade of this magnitude would almost certainly net a top-six forward in return. Some potential names out on the rumor mill include the likes of Jason Robertson, Jordan Kyrou, even a youngster like Mason McTavish.
There isn’t a sense a trade is on the cusp by any means. However, the sheer fact that Hamilton’s name is out there at all proves that Luke Hughes aside, perhaps the Devils don’t feel like they’re going into September as currently assembled.
Agent Allen Walsh is on the record that as soon as this week, NHL trade activity may pick up.
We’ll see if anything unfolds in the coming days.
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