Value of: Hamilton for Copp Chiarot plus (July 2025)

[dgibb10]

In a world where the Leafs are paying a 3rd + 5th for Joel Edmundon (lol), Chiarot has value

Edmundson at 875k (about 100k in real money since its at the deadline) vs 4.75 mill cap hit for Chiarot and a full 4.25 mill in real money to him.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

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)

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

We're likely stuck with him for a while longer, I can't see anyone bailing them out of that deal

His buyout isn't awful, in the worst case scenario

 

[HugeInTheShire]

His buyout isn't awful, in the worst case scenario

View attachment 917502

Definitely think that’s the way it goes, can’t see Fitz paying the price to dump him

 

[ToDavid]

In a world where the Leafs are paying a 3rd + 5th for Joel Edmundon (lol), Chiarot has value

Sure, with double retention you might get a mid-round pick or two for him at the deadline.

 

[Hisch13r]

Dear god no

 

[Dr Amazing]

Not even close the Devils GM ain't trying to get fired try again Wings

 

[AfroThunder396]

The whole point of trading Hamilton is to dump cap so that NJ can re-sign their young RFAs and still find room to make upgrades. Swapping him for other cap dumps makes no sense for NJ.

Also - Hamilton's last full season he scored 20 goals and +70 points. He is still a valuable player, NJ just wants to allocate their money to the younger guys in their prime.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

The whole point of trading Hamilton is to dump cap so that NJ can re-sign their young RFAs and still find room to make upgrades. Swapping him for other cap dumps makes no sense for NJ.

Also - Hamilton's last full season he scored 20 goals and +70 points. He is still a valuable player, NJ just wants to allocate their money to the younger guys in their prime.

This does that.

year 1 - zero cap savings
year 2 - almost $5m savings
year 3 - full $9m savings
year 4 and beyond - Hamilton would be gone anyways so no savings

A lot of people seem hung up on "year 1 zero savings", but it's gonna be hard to find a trade for Hamilton when he can block 21 teams. Not sure you'll find a team that will agree to a trade where New Jersey opens cap right away. It's possible but IMO not likely.

 

[AfroThunder396]

This does that.

year 1 - zero cap savings
year 2 - almost $5m savings
year 3 - full $9m savings
year 4 and beyond - Hamilton would be gone anyways so no savings

A lot of people seem hung up on "year 1 zero savings", but it's gonna be hard to find a trade for Hamilton when he can block 21 teams. Not sure you'll find a team that will agree to a trade where New Jersey opens cap. It's possible but IMO not likely.

Cap savings in Year 1 is the entire point. Luke Hughes is RFA this summer and is going to be asking for a deal similar to Hamilton's AAV, probably in the high 8's or low 9's.

NJ pays Hamilton's signing bonus on July 1st, after that he will only have 14.65M in salary remaining over the final three years of his deal. Big cap hit, relatively low dollars owed. He's the ideal target for a cash-strapped rebuilding team to hit the cap floor without spending much cash. It won't be difficult to find takers, he's a RHD that can run a PP and score points. Not unlike how the Devils traded for PK Subban at the end of his contract.

If trading Hamilton doesn't yield Year 1 savings, then they'll just dump Ondrej Palat instead. He has less term and is a worse player (meaning he's more easily replaced internally). Hamilton still has value to the Devils, they don't need to trade him unless they're getting a direct and immediate benefit.