Could the Devils and Dougie Hamilton Be Headed for a Contract Breakup This Offseason?
There’s a fascinating situation brewing in New Jersey, and it centers around Dougie Hamilton - a top-pairing defenseman with a big contract and an uncertain future. With two years remaining on his deal at a $9 million cap hit, Hamilton’s name is starting to come up in offseason chatter, especially with a major financial milestone looming.
Here’s the key detail: On July 1st, Hamilton is due a hefty $7.4 million signing bonus. After that check clears, his remaining salary over the final two years drops to a much more manageable $6.25 million in actual dollars. That dynamic opens the door to some intriguing possibilities.
One of those possibilities? A mutual contract termination - but only after the bonus is paid.
If the Devils can’t find a trade partner by July 1st, and Hamilton agrees to walk away from the rest of the deal (with his bonus in hand), he’d hit the open market as a UFA. Meanwhile, the Devils would clear the full $9 million cap hit off their books - a massive chunk of financial flexibility for a team looking to retool on the fly.
Now, that’s easier said than done. Terminating a contract like this is rare, and it would require full cooperation from both sides.
But the math makes sense. For Hamilton, it’s a chance to reset and potentially land a new deal elsewhere.
For the Devils, it’s a clean break from a big-ticket contract that may no longer align with their roster construction plans.
Of course, there’s also the trade route. If New Jersey can find a team willing to take on Hamilton - maybe with some salary retention to sweeten the deal - that could be the preferred outcome.
But the clock is ticking. Once that July 1st bonus is paid, the conversation changes.
Rasmus Andersson, Boston, and the Vegas Detour
Meanwhile, another situation that raised eyebrows around the league involves Rasmus Andersson and his brief flirtation with the Boston Bruins. The defenseman ultimately landed with the Vegas Golden Knights, but there’s some lingering doubt about how serious he was about committing to Boston long-term.
According to league chatter, the Bruins were ready to make a move - but only if an extension was part of the package. That’s standard procedure for Boston, who didn’t want to give up significant assets for a rental. But behind the scenes, there’s a sense that Andersson may have always had his heart set on Vegas.
Sources around the league suggest that while the Bruins engaged in talks, Andersson (or at least his camp) may not have shown much genuine interest in hammering out an extension. Vegas, on the other hand, was his preferred destination from the start - and they didn’t hesitate. They got the deal done without waiting on extension talks, confident that a long-term agreement could come later.
And that’s likely what will happen. The expectation is that Andersson will eventually sign a new deal with the Golden Knights, following a path similar to Noah Hanifin’s - trade first, extension shortly after. For now, he’s keeping things open, but the writing appears to be on the wall.
Boston, meanwhile, was left to pivot. Once it became clear that an extension wasn’t in play, they had to move on and explore other options. And that’s the nature of trade season - sometimes it’s not just about the return, but about the willingness to commit on both sides.
The Big Picture
Both of these situations - Hamilton in New Jersey and Andersson’s move to Vegas - reflect the delicate dance between player preferences, cap realities, and team-building strategies. For the Devils, the decision on Hamilton could have major ripple effects on their summer plans. And for Vegas, they’ve once again positioned themselves as a prime landing spot for top-tier talent, even if it means playing the long game on extensions.
We’re still a few months away from the offseason, but these storylines are already heating up. Keep an eye on Hamilton’s bonus deadline and Andersson’s potential extension - both could shape the landscape of the NHL heading into next season.