Trade rumors are swirling once again around star defenseman Dougie Hamilton, injecting a fresh wave of uncertainty into the NHL offseason. As insiders report that the New Jersey Devils are quietly gauging the market, speculation is reaching a fever pitch among fans and analysts alike.

With several teams desperate to bolster their blue line, and the possibility of blockbuster moves looming large, Hamilton’s future has become one of the most intriguing storylines of the summer. The stakes are high, the suitors are many, and the potential ripple effects could reshape the league’s balance of power heading into the new season.

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

A new report from NHL Insider Frank Seravalli shows that the Dougie Hamilton trade rumors aren’t slowing down, with him potentially on the move this summer.

There are a ton of potential trades that could happen this summer, with several names like Nazem Kadri, Jared McCann, Jared Kyrou, and Erik Karlsson all named as targets for teams looking to add that next level punch.

Dougie Hamilton back in the rumor mill: Frank Seravalli

One name who has popped up too is Dougie Hamilton, as the veteran right-handed defender could absolutely make a difference for several teams, and while we’ve heard he’s available, there hasn’t been much traction.

According to Frank Seravalli, who was a speaking on Bleacher Report’s On Ice Program, the Devils are exploring the market but are waiting for the right deal:

I do think the Devils have explored the market for Dougie Hamilton; I don’t think that they’re intentioned or set on trading him.

We did see a report that the Devils were looking to potentially bring in Quinn Hughes from Vancouver in order to unite him with his brothers Jack and Luke, who are both part of the New Jersey organization.

Hamilton will have many suitors; the Maple Leafs potentially the biggest

Which means that Hamilton would need to be gone in order to make cap and salary space for Hughes, and that means many teams are keeping tabs on the Devils in the coming weeks.

That means a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be front and center given they could use a huge upgrade on the back end.

If the team is able to secure Hamilton for anything less than Morgan Rielly, it would give the Maple Leafs one of the most dynamic and complete bluelines in the league:

Rielly – Hamilton

McCabe – Tanev

Ekman-Larsson – Carlo

NHL analyst Nick Kypreos has Hamilton fairly high on his summer trade board, and explained that once the Luke Hughes extension goes through, a Hamilton deal may follow:

Hamilton is 32 years old and makes $9 million against the salary cap for another three years. He also has a 10-team no-trade list, so the Devils will have some space to be creative in finding a partner.

This would not be an easy deal to make, but after the Luke Hughes extension gets done (which GM Tom Fitzgerald said was his top priority right now) the picture could become a little clearer as to how a Hamilton trade might go down and why it might make sense.

Why Toronto should want Dougie Hamilton

While unknown if Toronto is on Hamilton’s no-trade list, if not, then Brad Treliving needs to do whatever he can to add him.

Hamilton, 32, had 40 points in 64 games which is a bounce back year from his 2023-24 season, but is capable of putting up some pretty fantastic numbers.

He has 501 points in 835 games (151 goals, 350 assists), 924 blocks, 974 hits, and a plus-76 rating.

Not the most physically destructive force in the league, he makes up for it with his high hockey IQ, great passing in transition, and the fact he’s 6’6 means he gets to use that length to disrupt opponents.

Toronto may have originally had a chance to acquire Hamilton in the draft back in 2011, but his pick was part of the Phil Kessel blockbuster.

For a team that stressed needing to add an offensive punch on the back end, Hamilton makes the most sense, and while there might not be much to the rumor yet:

The more we hear, the more it seems likely.