Maple Leafs Could Be Closing In on a No. 1 Defenseman, per Insider
Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, defenseman Dougie Hamilton has been shopped around by the New Jersey Devils and Toronto might be targeting him.
As the Maple Leafs continue to try and add to their roster this summer, they are going to have to look at all available options as they head into the dog days of the offseason, with several moves still needing to be made.
We've heard rumblings of a trade or two happening regarding some of the cheaper contracts on the roster, and while that's not a guarantee, Brad Treliving certainly has his hands all over a potential deal, especially for a top-six forward.
But while the team looks to add to their forward contingent, they could certainly add a bit on their back end as well, and according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, they make be in on adding one premium defenseman with a connection to the Leafs GM; that being Dougie Hamilton.
Dougie Hamilton on the trade block: Elliotte Friedman
Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman explained that the New Jersey Devils are taking calls on Hamilton, with a few teams interested; and it wouldn't be surprising to see Toronto at the forefront:
The next biggest question for the Devils is Dougie Hamilton. He went from a full no-trade clause to a partial no-trade, I'm just curious to see what happens.
They paid his bonus, I don't have a great feel for it in terms of percentage chances but I know his name was out there and they've been talking to a couple teams.
They paid his bonus, I don't have a great feel for it in terms of percentage chances but I know his name was out there and they've been talking to a couple teams.
Though Friedman didn't specifically name the Maple Leafs as one of the teams, there's been several reports of Treliving going after former players like Nazem Kadri and Andrew Mangiapane, so Hamilton as a target wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.
Toronto can't miss out on Dougie Hamilton yet again
Hamilton, 32, would give the Maple Leafs a new #1 on the backend and allow Morgan Rielly to put less pressure on himself. He's a goal-scoring menace, isnt afraid to put hid body on the line, and would give Craig Berube a massive 6-foot-6 presence on the ice.
This past season, Hamilton had 40 points in 64 games (9 goals, 31 assists) but has 501 points in 835 games (151 goals, 350 assists) and has eight-multi goal seasons including a 22-goal campaign in 2022-23.
Drafted 9th overall by Boston in 2011, Hamilton may have been a Maple Leaf earlier in his career, but his draft pick was traded to the Bruins in the Phil Kessel blockbuster; he's spent time with Boston, Calgary, Carolina and New Jersey.
Morgan Rielly would no longer be the #1 defenseman, and Hamilton can take the brunt of the offensive and defensive roles while Rielly plays a secondary role, and it can move Brandon Carlo alongside Ekman-Larsson; and have him play on his strong side this season.
He would be expensive at $9-million and Toronto would need to get rid of some cap quickly, plus figure out who to give the Devils.
But if Brad Treliving wants to make one final DNA change that will give Toronto a brand new look come 2025-26?
Then Dougie Hamilton should be in blue and white come October.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 6 | 3184 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Could Be Closing In on a No. 1 Defenseman, per Insider Do you think Dougie Hamilton would be a good fit with the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 2024 | 63.6 % |
| No | 1160 | 36.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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