With Chris Tanev potentially sidelined long-term, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a familiar spot: staring down the stretch run with questions on the blue line. And as the trade deadline inches closer, the front office may be eyeing a veteran upgrade to stabilize the back end.
One name that’s surfaced in league chatter is New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton. He’s reportedly on the trade block after a recent scratch, and according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, both Carolina and Toronto are among the teams that could be in the mix-though we’re still in the early stages here.
Let’s be clear: Hamilton isn’t an easy piece to move. He’s got two more years left on his contract at a hefty $9 million AAV.
That kind of number is a tough fit for any contender, especially one like Toronto that’s already tight against the cap. If the Leafs were to make a serious push, it would almost certainly require New Jersey to retain salary.
That’s a big ask, but not impossible-especially if the Devils are motivated to move on before the Olympic roster freeze kicks in on February 4.
The clock is ticking. That freeze runs through February 22, and if a deal is going to happen, it likely needs to come together in the next few weeks.
So, why would the Leafs even consider this move?
Well, even with his recent injury history-he missed most of last season with a torn pectoral-Hamilton still brings plenty to the table. At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he’s a physically imposing presence who can log heavy minutes and contribute at both ends of the ice.
He’s averaging 21:37 of ice time per night this season, and while his offensive numbers have dipped since his 74-point campaign in 2022-23, the tools are still there. He’s a right-shot defender with size, experience, and a track record of production.
That’s a rare combination, and one that could help solidify a Leafs defense corps that’s been in flux all season.
But here’s the rub: Toronto’s asset pool isn’t exactly overflowing. They’re light on high-end prospects and draft capital, which makes any significant acquisition a tricky puzzle.
A young defenseman like Ben Danford could be enticing to New Jersey, but moving him would be a tough blow to Toronto’s already thin pipeline. And then there’s the salary cap math.
The Leafs currently have about $3.4 million in space. That could open up a bit more if Tanev’s $4.5 million cap hit lands on LTIR for the rest of the season, but as of now, there’s no clarity on that front.
So the question becomes: is Hamilton worth the squeeze?
If the Devils are willing to retain salary-and if the Leafs are comfortable parting with a meaningful young piece-this could be a move that pays off in a big way. Hamilton isn’t just a stopgap; he’s a potential top-pairing guy who could anchor the right side for a few more years. That’s not easy to find, especially midseason.
But it’s a gamble. The price will be steep, and the Leafs can’t afford to miss. With the clock ticking toward the Olympic freeze and the playoff race heating up, Toronto’s front office has some tough decisions to make.
The need is real. The fit makes sense. Now it’s just a matter of whether the dollars-and the deal-can work.