Hockey
News Report

Source: Devils Listening to Dougie Hamilton Calls But Not Shopping Yet

Published: Jul 8, 2025, 2:03 PM
4 min read
Updated: Jul 17, 2025, 2:37 PM
Fact checked by:
Quinn Allen

Key Takeaways

  • The New Jersey Devils continue to get trade calls on defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
  • However, sources told RG that he isn't expected to be moved anytime soon.
  • The Red Wings, Mammoth, Maple Leafs, and Stars are among the teams interested in Hamilton.
Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

With his full no-movement clause becoming a ten-team modified no-trade clause on July 1, New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton has become the topic du jour in NHL trade rumors.

“Teams are calling on [Hamilton] now,” an NHL executive source told RG media recently. “I heard the Leafs looked into him. They’re looking into multiple options for their blue line, and a lot of them have offensive flair. That’s their strength, so there’s a common thread with their trade targets right now, and Hamilton fits the bill.”

As for other potential Hamilton trade suitors, the source had this to say:

“The Stars, Red Wings, and Mammoth have also been pushing hard to acquire a right-shot defenseman that can bolster their offense and improve their power play, so they make a ton of sense.”

However, while teams may be inquiring about Hamilton on the NHL trade market, another NHL executive source cautioned not to expect the 32-year-old, 6-foot-6, 229-pound, slick-moving defenseman to be traded anytime soon.

“Look, things as we know can change really fast in the NHL and with trade talks; all it takes is one call and voila! But there are a few things to consider here when it comes to Hamilton,” the source pointed out. 

“First is how many of those teams are willing to and can take on his $9 million cap hit? The second thing is that the Devils aren’t out there shopping him right now, and by no means are they in a hurry to trade him. Don’t forget, Jonathan Kovacevic is coming off of knee surgery, and as far as I know, he’s probably not coming back until late November/early December. 

So, they’re now already down a veteran D-man on the right side. Yeah, they have guys coming and when healthy, there’s probably not enough room for everyone, so obviously, teams will inquire, but this is the situation right now. 

Then, they’re limited to 21 teams because of the ten-team list. What if the best possible returns are from one of the teams on the no-trade list he submitted? They’re not just going to trade him to trade him or because of a numbers game in the lineup.”

Hamilton’s $9 million cap hit the source referenced, is in effect for three more seasons as part of a seven-year, $63 million contract Hamilton signed with the Devils back on July 28, 2021. Hamilton was just paid a $10.55 million bonus on July 1. Hamilton is also set to be paid $1 million in actual salary this season and next season. He has a $7.4 million bonus coming to him on July 1, 2026, and $5.25 million in salary in the final year of his contract, with no bonus payment.

Hamilton, who was drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, had nine goals and 31 assists in 64 games. His best season came in his second season with the Devils when he had 22 goals and 52 assists in 82 games in the 2022-23 regular season.

<p>James Murphy is a veteran sports journalist covering the NHL, NCAA and CHL hockey for RG.</p><p>With 25 years of experience covering the Bruins, the NHL, NCAA, CHL and more, Murphy has seen it all when it comes to hockey. His hockey black book is filled with Hall of Famers, current players, coaches, management, scouts and a diverse array of hockey media personalities who have lived and worked in and around the game. Murphy also currently co-hosts The Eye Test podcast with Pierre McGuire and, along with McGuire, interviews NHL owners and executives, as well as NHL and NCAA head coaches and players daily.</p><p>The Arlington, Massachusetts, native began his writing career in hockey in 2001, when the Boston Bruins raised one of his childhood idols, Ray Bourque’s No. 77, to the rafters before their 2001–02 season opener. For 22 of his 25 years as a hockey reporter, Murphy covered the Bruins daily, including their victorious 2011 Stanley Cup run and their runs to the 2013 and 2019 Finals, multiple NHL drafts and countless Stanley Cup playoffs. He did all that for the Boston Metro, NHL.com, NESN.com and ESPN Boston.</p><p>In addition to his print work covering the Bruins, Murphy also made regular TV appearances on NESN, Fox 25 Boston, ESPN and NHL Network. From 2008 to 2012, Murphy hosted The Hockey Primetime Show on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and made numerous appearances on national and international radio shows.</p><p>Ironically, his three years not covering the Bruins were spent covering their archrivals, the Montreal Canadiens. From 2012 to 2015, Murphy was based in Montreal and covered the Canadiens for NHL.com and TSN.ca. He also appeared regularly on TSN 690 radio and CTV.</p><p>Murphy returned to Boston in 2015 and left the media business to work in sales and marketing for LiveBarn, a Montreal-based sports streaming company, for four years. In 2019, Murphy once again became a Bruins beat reporter, this time writing for Boston Hockey Now. He spent four seasons working for BHN before arriving at RG in 2024 and also dedicated more time to The Eye Test podcast.</p>
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