The New Jersey Devils are reportedly pursuing notable roster changes ahead of the trade deadline, with veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Ondrej Palat at the center of discussions [[2]]. Despite a two-assist performance Monday night, Hamilton’s availability has become a key topic as the team struggles to compete for a playoff spot and navigates a complex salary cap situation. The Devils’ efforts to move these contracts reflect a broader attempt to retool their roster, potentially impacting their immediate playoff hopes and long-term strategy.
The New Jersey Devils are actively shopping veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton, despite his return to the lineup Monday night in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Hamilton recorded two assists in the win, but his availability remains a key topic as the Devils navigate a challenging season.
The situation escalated recently when Hamilton was a healthy scratch on Sunday, prompting a public exchange between his agent, J.P. Barry, and Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald. According to reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams expressing interest.
Hamilton, 32, carries a $9 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season and has a 10-team no-trade clause, presenting significant hurdles to any potential deal. He has five goals and 12 points in 41 games this season. “Everyone involved is still focused on finding a trade for Dougie Hamilton as a resolution,” TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported. “Just not a sense that anything is imminent at this point.”
While Hamilton’s return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch raised eyebrows, LeBrun clarified that it doesn’t alter the team’s trade intentions. The Maple Leafs, in particular, would likely need the Devils to retain salary to accommodate Hamilton’s contract. Hamilton previously played three seasons with the Hurricanes (2018-2021) and is a native of Toronto, but it remains unclear if either team is on his approved trade list. Barry indicated his client is open to considering teams outside of his 10-team list.
“Dougie was informed today that he will be not be playing now that [Johnathan] Kovacevic is back in the lineup. In our view, this decision is all about business rather than his game right now. Singling him out seems very calculated at this stage,” Barry told LeBrun on Saturday. “Dougie has a 10-team trade list and there have been efforts to trade him going back to the draft last year. We have made it clear to the Devils that we will consider teams outside our list and other creative ways to get to a team that is mutually acceptable.”
Throughout his 876-game NHL career with the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, and Devils, Hamilton has amassed 156 goals and 357 assists, adding nine goals and 22 assists in 71 playoff games. He was originally selected ninth overall by Boston in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Devils Also Exploring Palat Trade
Hamilton isn’t the only Devil potentially on the move. New Jersey is also looking to shed the contract of forward Ondrej Palat, as the team deals with salary cap constraints. The 34-year-old winger has a $6 million cap hit through next season and also possesses a 10-team no-trade list and a no-move clause.
“One final thing is that New Jersey needs to move money too. That’s what they’re focused on now in a separate deal,” LeBrun added. “Ondrej Palat is the player they’re trying to move – $6 million a year. Again, not an easy proposition.”
Palat has four goals and 10 points in 46 games this season, averaging just 12:42 of ice time. He recently broke out with two goals against the Wild on Monday, playing over 10 minutes for the first time in five games after skating a team-low 6:32 in a loss to the Winnipeg Jets the previous day. A veteran of 871 career games, Palat has 181 goals and 515 assists with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Devils.
The Devils, currently 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, trail the Maple Leafs by five points for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Moving these contracts could provide the flexibility needed to bolster their playoff push.
