With the NHL trade freeze in place until February 22 due to the Olympics, front offices are in a holding pattern. But once the clock strikes midnight, expect phones to light up and decisions to come fast. The trade deadline hits just two weeks later, on March 6, and one name already generating buzz is New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
Hamilton, a veteran blueliner with a big shot and power play pedigree, is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams. And it’s not hard to see why.
Though his numbers are down slightly this season, he remains a proven top-four defenseman who can quarterback a power play and log heavy minutes. For the Devils, who are in the midst of a rough season, moving Hamilton could be less about his play and more about cap flexibility.
Right now, New Jersey sits at 28-27-2-11 points out of a playoff spot and holding the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Their $7.4 million in cap space is largely a result of Luke Hughes being on LTIR, and looking ahead to the summer, they’re projected to have just over $13 million available.
That’s not a lot of room to maneuver, especially with Hamilton carrying a $9 million AAV through the 2027-28 season. Shedding that deal could open the door for the Devils to reshape their roster and get younger.
Enter the Nashville Predators.
Nashville is hanging around the playoff bubble at 26-24-7, just four points back in the Western Conference race. After missing the postseason in two of the last three years-including a disappointing 2024-25 campaign-the Preds could be looking to make a push.
With Barry Trotz stepping down as GM, there’s a sense this could be the last swing of the bat for this front office group. And Hamilton might be the kind of bold addition that helps them get over the hump.
Let’s talk fit. Offensively, Hamilton isn’t lighting up the scoresheet like he has in years past-seven goals and 14 assists in 52 games, his lowest points-per-game rate since his second NHL season.
But the power play numbers are still there: three goals and 11 assists with the man advantage. That’s a key area where the Predators could use a boost.
They’re middle of the pack-13th in the league-in power play conversion, and their second unit has room for improvement.
Roman Josi continues to anchor the top unit with four goals and 12 assists on the power play, but behind him, it’s thinner. Brady Skjei has chipped in just two power play points, and Justin Barron hasn’t registered one.
Hamilton could step in immediately on the second unit and elevate the group. His 3.46 goals-for per 60 minutes of ice time is just shy of his career pace and currently ranks sixth among Devils skaters.
That kind of offensive impact from the blue line is exactly what Nashville needs.
Defensively, Hamilton’s numbers still hold up. His expected goals against per 60 minutes sits at 2.81-slightly above his career average, but still notably better than several of Nashville’s current defensemen.
That includes Skjei, Erik Haula, Nick Perbix, and Nicolas Hague. Whether he slots in alongside Skjei on the second pair or joins Josi on the top unit, Hamilton would immediately raise the ceiling of Nashville’s defensive corps.
And let’s not overlook the team’s biggest issue: goals against. The Predators rank 28th in the league in that category.
That’s not a number that gets you into the playoffs. Adding a top-four defenseman with Hamilton’s two-way ability could be a stabilizing force for a unit that’s struggled to keep pucks out of the net.
From a financial standpoint, Nashville is one of the few playoff hopefuls positioned to absorb Hamilton’s $9 million cap hit without requiring New Jersey to retain salary. That’s a big advantage.
Most contenders would need the Devils to eat a chunk of the deal, which would likely cost them more in return. For the Preds, having the space to take on the full contract gives them leverage-and options.
So what might a deal look like?
There are a few paths. One is a player-for-player swap involving a veteran like Steven Stamkos, who’s been mentioned in trade chatter.
A package of Stamkos and a pick or prospect for Hamilton and a younger player like Cody Glass could work on paper. Nashville would take on Hamilton’s contract but move on from an aging forward while adding youth.
The question is whether that makes sense for New Jersey, who are looking to get younger-not older.
Another route involves moving a younger defenseman like Justin Barron, along with a pick. Barron hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, and Hamilton would be a clear upgrade.
The downside? It would tighten Nashville’s future cap situation, putting them firmly in win-now mode.
The most likely-and probably smartest-option is a package built around picks and prospects. Nashville has the draft capital to make something happen.
They own six picks in the first four rounds of the 2026 draft and four third-rounders in 2027. That gives them flexibility to sweeten the pot without touching their top-tier prospects.
One name to watch is Teddy Stiga. The former second-round pick is a high-upside forward who can play all three positions.
He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s got offensive tools and could be a solid addition for a Devils team looking to retool. Stiga is likely a top-ten prospect in the Predators’ system, but moving him-along with a pick-could be the kind of calculated risk that helps Nashville both now and down the line.
Bottom line: Nashville has the need, the cap space, and the assets to make a move for Dougie Hamilton. It’s a deal that could help solidify their playoff push while also giving them a cornerstone defenseman for the next few seasons. For New Jersey, it’s a chance to move a big contract, stockpile future assets, and start building toward a more competitive core.
Once the trade freeze lifts, this is one situation to keep a close eye on.