Dougie Hamilton’s name has been circulating in trade chatter for weeks now, and on the surface, it’s easy to see why. A $9 million AAV contract, 32 years old, and a season that-until recently-lacked the kind of offensive punch he was brought in to deliver.
But if you’ve been watching the Devils closely over the past few games, you’ve seen a different version of Hamilton. One that’s playing with purpose, energy, and most importantly-production.
Since returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch, Hamilton has quietly pieced together a solid stretch, putting up three assists over two games, helping the Devils to back-to-back wins against Minnesota and Seattle. That’s not just stat-padding-it’s meaningful contribution from the back end, and it’s come at a time when the team desperately needed a spark.
This recent uptick in Hamilton’s play brings up a real question for general manager Tom Fitzgerald: Is now really the time to move on from one of your most offensively capable defensemen?
Let’s be clear-when Dougie is on, he’s still a legitimate top-four blueliner who can quarterback a power play and stretch the ice with his vision and shot. That’s not something you can easily replace, especially on a team that’s been struggling to generate consistent offense. If you move him without a reliable replacement in place, you risk creating a bigger hole than the one you’re trying to fill.
Now, sure, some might argue that Hamilton’s recent surge could be about boosting his trade value. Maybe.
But regardless of the motivation, the performance is real-and it’s helping the Devils win hockey games. That’s what matters most.
And if this version of Hamilton sticks around, he might be more valuable to New Jersey on the ice than he is as a trade chip.
If the Devils are looking to clear cap space or shake up the roster, there’s a more logical candidate to move: Ondrej Palat.
Palat, despite a two-goal showing against Minnesota, has struggled to find his footing for quite some time. Over the past calendar year, he’s posted just nine goals and 19 points.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player carrying a $6 million AAV through the end of next season. And while Palat brings leadership and playoff experience, the production simply hasn’t matched the price tag.
What makes Palat a more viable trade piece than Hamilton right now is the contract structure. His deal is shorter, and though he carries trade protection, it’s not immovable.
If the Devils can find a taker willing to absorb his cap hit without salary retention, they could free up roughly $5.3 million in space ahead of the trade deadline. That kind of flexibility could go a long way in adding the scoring depth this team sorely needs.
The big-picture play here is clear: keep Hamilton if he continues to trend upward, move Palat if you can, and use the cap space to reinforce the forward group. That approach keeps your blue line intact while giving you a chance to recapture the early-season form that had fans thinking playoffs.
It’s still possible that Hamilton is moved-this is the NHL, after all, and things can shift quickly. But if Fitzgerald is thinking long-term, he has to weigh the value of Hamilton’s current play versus the risk of losing a top-four defenseman in the middle of a playoff push.
Bottom line: if this is the Dougie Hamilton the Devils are getting down the stretch, trading him now might be a mistake.