Is Dougie Hamilton on the verge of leaving the New Jersey Devils? Recent events suggest that his time with the team might be running out. His status as a healthy scratch during Sunday’s game reignited a conversation that has been quietly bubbling under the surface in New Jersey for several months now. The Devils have made attempts to trade Hamilton on multiple occasions, but each time he has exercised his no-trade clause, which allows him to veto trades to ten specific teams.
Among the teams actively looking to acquire the talented 32-year-old defenseman is the Utah Mammoth, which is reportedly serious about bringing him on board. According to NHL insider James Murphy, the Mammoth have expressed their interest in Hamilton and have even crafted a potential trade package that could persuade the Devils to part ways with him.
In this proposed deal, the Utah Mammoth would receive:
* Dougie Hamilton
In exchange, the New Jersey Devils would gain:
* Nick Schmaltz
* Nate Schmidt
* A draft pick
Previously, the Mammoth had tried to secure Hamilton’s services last summer, but he opted out of that opportunity because they were not included in his no-trade list.
Nick Schmaltz, who is 29 years old, serves as the top-line center for Utah and is set to become an unrestricted free agent. This season, he has significantly increased his value, currently on track to achieve career highs in goals, assists, points, and average ice time per game. So far, he has netted 16 goals and accumulated 41 points over 46 games, averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time each night. It’s important to note that he also possesses a no-trade clause that restricts certain moves.
Meanwhile, Nate Schmidt, 34, is known as a versatile, two-way defenseman playing on the third pairing, although he occasionally steps up into a top-four role with the Mammoth this season.
The Mammoth currently have a healthy cap space of $12.1 million, which comfortably accommodates Hamilton's $9 million cap hit. Moreover, Hamilton is under contract for another two years, making him a valuable asset for any team willing to trade for him.
As the Mammoth head into Tuesday night’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they find themselves with a record of 22-20-4, just within striking distance of a Wild Card playoff spot in the Western Conference. Interestingly, the Toronto Maple Leafs are also in pursuit of Hamilton, adding another layer to this intriguing situation.
What do you think about this potential trade? Could Hamilton be the missing piece for the Mammoth or any other team? Share your thoughts below!
