This is July 1st 2025 when Hamilton loses his full NMC, gets his big signing bonus from New Jersey, and Luke Hughes needs a big raise as an RFA. Hamilton will be moved by NJD before his contract ends in 2028... the only questions are where and when. With Seamus Casey looking really good in the NHL, next summer is maybe the right time.
to Detroit Red Wings
Dougie Hamilton (3y @ $9.0000m)
retaining 10% on Copp (2y @ $0.5625m)
TOTAL CAP = $9.5625m
to New Jersey Devils
Andrew Copp (10% retained) (2y @ $5.0625m)
Ben Chiarot (1y $4.7500m)
DET adds good pick(s) and/or prospect(s)
TOTAL CAP = $9.8125m
You tell me what DET needs to add.
"Value Of" thread... what is the Value Of what DET needs to add here?
CAP SPACE SHORT-TERM
Detroit looks like they're saving $0.25m in cap, but they'll have to replace Copp on the roster with a forward who will cost league minimum or higher, so they actually end up adding $0.5m to $1m of cap.
Copp replaces one of the Devils UFA forwards (Tatar, Bastian, Lazar) and the trade ends up around cap-neutral for New Jersey. Possibly they save a few hundred thousand dollars.
CAP SPACE LONG-TERM
Detroit adds a bit of cap, but it's money well-spent as opposed to overpaying Chiarot.
New Jersey is able to turn a big 3 year contract into a 2 year bottom 6 forward and a 1 year overpaid depth D. The money comes off the books sooner which is needed to give Hughes, Nemec and Casey raises. NJD doesn't love the idea of paying that much for a 7D for one season, but there's compensation paid and the salary is moved. Hamilton is the best player in the trade as well. NJD also recieve pick(s)/prospect(s) considering these factors.
PROSPECT PIPELINE TO NHL
Copp is no longer needed, and players like Kasper and Danielson will be along very shortly to replace him on the roster. Bolstering the D is more important.
Casey needs an every-day roster spot at RD, meaning one of Hamilton Pesce Nemec will be going. Hamilton is the one not in the long term plans. Also from a cap perspective, the young Devils D are getting raises soon. Hughes next summer, Nemec the summer after that and Casey the summer after that. Hamilton isn't in the long-term plans and has a big salary. It's time to move that out so the kids can get paid.
AFTER TRADE BLUELINES 25/26
Dillon - Nemec
Hughes - Pesce
Siegenthaler - Casey
Chiarot (1y expiring)
Edvinsson - Seider
( Wallinder / Buium ) - Hamilton
Johansson - Holl (1y expiring)
Gustafsson (1y expiring)