Dougie Hamilton Trade Talk Heats Up Again - Could the Maple Leafs Be a Fit?
Just when it seemed like the Dougie Hamilton trade chatter had cooled off - especially with Luke Hughes sidelined - the rumor mill is warming back up. Hamilton’s recent uptick in play has caught the eye of a few front offices, and yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still very much in the conversation.
Let’s rewind for a second. When Hamilton was benched earlier this season, it was framed as a performance issue.
But since returning, he’s looked more like the high-end, puck-moving defenseman the Devils expected when they signed him. And when a player of his caliber starts trending upward, teams in need of blue-line help - especially those with playoff aspirations - start dialing.
Toronto’s Ongoing Interest
The Maple Leafs have been linked to Hamilton for months now. They were considered one of the top potential landing spots for the veteran defenseman last summer, second only to the Utah Mammoth. That interest hasn’t faded, and with Toronto coming off a frustrating loss in Mitch Marner’s return game, the pressure is mounting for management to shake things up.
Toronto’s front office could look at a Hamilton deal as a way to reset the tone for the second half of the season and make a serious push in the playoffs. But what would a trade actually look like?
Trade Scenario 1: Hamilton for Rielly (and More)
This is one of those trades that makes everyone uncomfortable - which might mean it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.
The idea: Dougie Hamilton heads to Toronto, while Morgan Rielly, Easton Cowan, and Nick Robertson go the other way.
Now, on paper, flipping Hamilton for Rielly might seem like a step back for New Jersey. Rielly’s contract is longer, and his recent play hasn’t matched Hamilton’s ceiling.
But the inclusion of Cowan and Robertson changes the equation. Both are young, talented forwards who could inject energy and upside into New Jersey’s bottom six - not just now, but for years to come.
Add that to the early promise shown by Arseny Gritsyuk and Lenni Hameenaho, and suddenly the Devils’ forward depth starts to look a lot more dangerous.
As for Rielly, maybe a change of scenery is exactly what he needs. There was a time when he was viewed as a top-15 defenseman in the league. That version hasn’t shown up lately, but if he can rediscover even a portion of that form - especially paired with someone like Johnny Kovacevic - he could still be a valuable piece.
Of course, there’s risk here. If Rielly doesn’t bounce back, New Jersey could be staring down a buyout that carries a hefty cap hit: $3.5 million for four years, followed by $2 million for another four. That’s a tough pill to swallow, and likely why this deal, while intriguing, may not get across the finish line.
Trade Scenario 2: A Depth-Focused Deal
If the Devils and Leafs want to avoid the big-name swap and focus on roster depth, here’s another path.
Toronto sends Nic Roy and Max Domi to New Jersey, with goalie prospect Dennis Hildeby also involved. In return, the Devils retain some salary on Hamilton to make the cap math work and send Nico Daws to the Leafs.
Let’s break this down.
Roy hasn’t found his scoring touch this season - he’s on pace for just seven goals - but he’s shown in the past that he can be a reliable 13-15 goal guy. Domi, meanwhile, is producing above expectations, tallying 24 points in 49 games while skating alongside Auston Matthews. That’s not nothing.
The Devils, in this scenario, bolster their center depth and add a goalie prospect in Hildeby, who’s been impressive this season with a .912 save percentage over 19 games. For a team that’s had its share of goaltending questions, that’s a smart get.
Toronto, on the other hand, gets Daws - a young, NHL-ready netminder who could serve as a safety net behind their injury-prone tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll.
The issue? Toronto’s lack of draft capital makes it tough to sweeten the pot. Unless…
The Big Swing: Nylander In Play?
Now we’re venturing into blockbuster territory.
If Toronto really wants to shake up its core following Marner’s exit and a lack of momentum, William Nylander becomes the name to watch. He’s been solid this year, but there’s a sense that he hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations that come with his contract - and the head coach hasn’t been shy about his critiques.
Enter the Devils, who could use another dynamic top-six forward. In this scenario, they send Anton Silayev - their 10th overall pick from the 2024 draft - to Toronto. That’s a big chip to move, but for a player like Nylander, it might be the kind of bold move GM Tom Fitzgerald is willing to make.
Toronto might push for a first-round pick as well, but the Devils could counter with a 2027 first instead - one the Leafs don’t currently own. That gives Toronto the flexibility to pursue other high-end targets, like Jason Robertson from Dallas or Robert Thomas from St. Louis.
Of course, neither the Stars nor Blues are likely to move those players for this kind of package, but adding future assets opens doors.
So… Does Any of This Actually Work?
Here’s the truth: none of these trade proposals are perfect. Every option comes with its own set of risks, cap complications, and long-term implications. That’s the reality when you’re dealing with high-salary veterans and teams with limited flexibility.
The Hamilton-for-Rielly swap is the cleanest from a cap perspective - and probably the easiest to justify for Toronto. But it’s a gamble for New Jersey unless they’re confident in Rielly’s ability to rebound.
The depth deal involving Roy, Domi, and Hildeby is more of a patchwork move, and it doesn’t offer the kind of upside either team might be looking for.
And the Nylander blockbuster? It’s the kind of trade that could redefine both franchises - but it’s also the hardest to pull off, especially midseason.
At the end of the day, other teams might be a better fit for a Dougie Hamilton deal. But if Toronto wants to make a splash, and if New Jersey is ready to retool on the fly, there’s a pathway here. It’s just going to take some creativity - and a whole lot of nerve.