With the NHL trade freeze in place until February 22 due to Olympic action, front offices across the league are in a holding pattern - but only for now. Once the clock strikes 11:59 p.m.
ET that night, the sprint to the March 6 trade deadline begins. And one name already circulating in the rumor mill?
Dougie Hamilton.
The New Jersey Devils defenseman could be on the move, and it wouldn’t be all that surprising given how this season has unfolded in Newark. The Devils are sitting at 28-27-2 - 11 points out of a playoff spot and holding the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
That’s not where this team expected to be. And with just $7.4 million in cap space - most of it created by Luke Hughes hitting long-term IR - New Jersey may be looking to clear some room.
Hamilton’s $9 million AAV contract, which runs through 2027-28, looms large on the books, and moving it could be a way to reset.
Enter the Nashville Predators.
Nashville’s in a bit of a gray area - not quite in the playoffs, but not far off either. At 26-24-7, they’re just four points out in the West.
This is a franchise that’s made the postseason in nine of the last 11 years, but they’ve missed two of the last three, including last season. With Barry Trotz stepping down from the GM role, this trade deadline could be his final swing - and he’s never been afraid to take a big cut.
Hamilton, even in a down year, could be the kind of piece that pushes the Preds over the line.
Let’s be clear - Hamilton’s numbers this season don’t jump off the page. He’s posted seven goals and 14 assists through 52 games, averaging just 0.4 points per game - his lowest clip since 2013-14, back when he was still finding his footing in Boston.
But there’s more to the story. On the power play, he’s been steady: three goals and 11 assists with the man advantage.
That’s much more in line with his usual production and an area where Nashville could use a boost. The Predators rank 13th in power play efficiency, and while Roman Josi has been productive (four goals, 12 assists), the second unit has left plenty to be desired.
Brady Skjei and Justin Barron are currently holding down those spots, but between them, they’ve combined for just two power play points - both from Skjei.
Hamilton could step into that second unit and make an immediate impact. He’s still generating offense, with a projected 3.46 goals scored by his team per 60 minutes of ice time - sixth-best on the Devils. That’s not elite, but it’s effective, and it would be a clear upgrade for Nashville’s blue line depth.
Defensively, Hamilton’s holding steady. His expected goals against per 60 minutes sits at 2.81 - a touch worse than his career average, but still a better mark than several current Predators regulars, including Skjei, Erik Haula, Nick Perbix, and Nicolas Hague.
That kind of upgrade matters when you're ranked 28th in the league in goals against per game. If Nashville wants to tighten things up in their own zone, adding a top-four defenseman like Hamilton is a logical step.
From a cap perspective, Nashville is one of the few teams that could realistically absorb Hamilton’s $9 million AAV without needing New Jersey to retain a big chunk. That gives them leverage - and flexibility.
Sure, the Devils could retain salary to get a better return, but that limits their ability to retool elsewhere. And considering Hamilton has already been a healthy scratch this season, it’s clear the Devils are at least open to turning the page.
So what would a deal look like?
One floated possibility is a swap involving Steven Stamkos. While that would be a headline-grabber, it’s a tricky fit.
Stamkos is aging, and while he still has value, it’s hard to see the Devils - who are trending younger - bringing in another veteran, even if it meant shedding Hamilton’s contract. Tossing in a pick or a young player like Cody Glass could sweeten the pot, but it still feels like a stretch for New Jersey’s current direction.
A more realistic scenario might involve Justin Barron and a draft pick. Barron hasn’t developed as hoped in Nashville, and moving him could open a spot for Hamilton while giving the Devils a younger piece to work with.
The downside? It tightens the Predators' future cap situation - but it also signals a clear win-now mentality.
Perhaps the most balanced approach is a package centered around picks and prospects. Nashville’s prospect pool is deep, and they’re flush with draft capital.
They hold six picks in the first four rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft and four third-rounders in 2027. That gives them the ammo to make a serious offer without touching their top-tier prospects.
Someone like Teddy Stiga could be the key. The former second-rounder has the offensive upside and positional versatility that teams covet - he can play all three forward spots, and while he’s not the biggest player on the ice, his skillset is intriguing.
He might be a top-10 prospect in Nashville’s system, but moving him - along with a draft pick - could be enough to get a deal done. And it wouldn’t gut the Predators’ youth movement in the process.
Bottom line: Dougie Hamilton might not be having a career year, but he’s still a capable, top-four defenseman with power play value and playoff experience. For a Predators team looking to claw its way back into the postseason, he could be the difference between watching from home and making some noise in April. And with the cap space and assets to make it happen, Nashville is in a rare position of strength as the trade deadline approaches.