Dougie Hamilton Trade Talk Heats Up: Can - and Should - the Maple Leafs Make the Move?
With Rasmus Andersson off the board, the trade market for top-tier defensemen just got a lot clearer - and a lot more expensive. The Vegas Golden Knights made a big splash by acquiring Andersson in a deal that sent a strong message to the rest of the league: if you want to contend, you better be ready to pay up.
That deal - Zach Whitecloud, promising prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional second that could also become a first - wasn’t exactly a bargain. And that’s for a player who might not even stick around past this season. Andersson could hit free agency in the summer, making him a high-end rental with no guarantees.
Now shift your eyes east, where the New Jersey Devils are navigating a tricky situation with Dougie Hamilton. The veteran blueliner is reportedly on the move - or at least on the verge of it - and the Toronto Maple Leafs are right in the thick of the conversation.
Hamilton, a Toronto native, would fit a clear need for the Leafs. He’s a right-shot defenseman with size, puck-moving ability, and offensive upside.
But the cost? That’s where things get complicated.
Unlike Calgary, which retained salary to make the Andersson deal work, New Jersey seems less inclined to eat a big chunk of Hamilton’s contract. That means any team acquiring him - Toronto included - would likely need to get creative with the cap and pony up a serious return.
So what would a realistic package look like?
It’s not likely to include Easton Cowan, one of Toronto’s top prospects, but names like Ben Danford could be in play. A 2027 first-round pick would almost certainly be part of the deal, and the Leafs might have to include a young, NHL-ready player - someone in the mold of Matias Maccelli - to sweeten the offer.
From a pure hockey standpoint, Hamilton would make the Leafs better. He brings experience, power-play prowess, and a level of poise that’s hard to find. But this isn’t just about talent - it’s about timing, risk, and long-term vision.
Toronto has been down this road before: trading future assets for immediate help. And more often than not, it hasn’t worked out.
Early playoff exits have left the fanbase frustrated, and the farm system thin. Another all-in move that doesn’t deliver could leave the Leafs with few chips left to play.
There’s also the matter of age and durability. Hamilton is on the wrong side of 30 and has dealt with injuries in recent seasons. Toronto’s blue line already leans older, and adding another veteran with a significant cap hit could be a gamble with long-term consequences.
Still, the Leafs are in win-now mode. Auston Matthews is signed, the core is locked in, and the window is open - for now.
If the front office believes Hamilton is the missing piece, they’ll have to act decisively. But with the price tag set by the Andersson deal, they’ll need to weigh the short-term boost against the long-term cost.
So yes, the Maple Leafs can afford Dougie Hamilton - on paper. But the real question is whether they should. And that’s a decision that could define not just this season, but the trajectory of the franchise for years to come.