The start of the new year brings with it a ton of speculation, with the trade deadline just two months away. The slightest breeze can bring about a whirlwind of rumors regarding any player on a struggling team. The Carolina Hurricanes are certain to be all over the news with each big name that becomes available, but this one perked my ears up a bit.
On Tuesday’s Insider Trading for TSN, as the panel discussed Dougie Hamilton’s trade prospects, Pierre LeBrun suggested that the Carolina Hurricanes, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, could be a potential fit for the New Jersey defenseman. He stressed that they are “potential” fits and that nothing is imminent.
Hamilton has been in the news a lot recently after the Devils decided to scratch him on Saturday. His agent made it clear that the Devils are seeking a trade, though Hamilton was back in the lineup on Tuesday, providing a pair of assists in a victory over the Minnesota Wild. This season, Hamilton has just five goals and 13 points in 42 games.
After breaking into the league with Boston and becoming a star in Calgary, the Hurricanes made a deal with the Flames at the 2018 Draft to bring Hamilton to Raleigh. Along with several key personnel moves that summer, Hamilton’s arrival aided in the team’s turnaround as they finally returned to the postseason in 2019.
With the Canes, Hamilton played three seasons. He came out of the gate in 2018-19 by setting a career-high with 18 goals before adding seven points in the playoffs. Hamilton was on a roll the following year before a season-ending leg injury. Fortunately, the stoppage prevented further damage. His best came in during the abbreviated 2020-21 season, finishing 4th in Norris voting.
Without a new deal with Carolina, Hamilton stayed in the Metropolitan Division, signing a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Devils. After a rough first season, Hamilton posted 22 goals and 74 points in 2022-23 and finished 6th for the Norris. Injuries have cost him most of the last few seasons, bringing his numbers down with it.
Before anyone gets too excited about the prospects of Hamilton returning to Raleigh, there are several reasons why this isn’t a good fit. While we know that Hamilton and Jaccob Slavin have worked in the past, his contract is a bear to take on. With two more years at $9 million remaining on his deal, there’s no way the Canes do anything without New Jersey retaining a lot of money.
The Hurricanes only have two right-shot defensemen on the roster in Sean Walker and Jalen Chatfield, and Joel Nystrom is waiting in the wings. Bringing in Hamilton “fills a hole” on the right side, but who comes out of the lineup? Unless a defenseman is traded, logic leads me to believe that it would be Alexander Nikishin, which would be a mind-numbingly bad decision.
The Hurricanes only have two right-shot defensemen on the roster in Sean Walker and Jalen Chatfield, and Joel Nystrom is waiting in the wings. Bringing in Hamilton “fills a hole” on the right side, but who comes out of the lineup? Unless a defenseman is traded, logic leads me to believe that it would be Alexander Nikishin, which would be a mind-numbingly bad decision.
For now, all of it is noise. While I don’t doubt that the Hurricanes have done their due diligence and know what they’d be getting themselves into if they re-acquired Dougie Hamilton, I don’t see it happening. There are far more pressing matters to address than adding another scoring defenseman to the mix. Still, I wouldn’t say the door is completely closed.
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