Proposal: Hamilton to DAL (2025 Off-season)

[Zippy316]

Re-iterating the fact that this would be an off-season deal. Ideally, it would be pre-draft and timed to allow the Devils the option to use the buyout window on Dumba:

Dougie Hamilton (3 years remaining x 9.0 AAV)
for
Mason Marchment (1 year remaining x 4.5 AAV)
Matt Dumba (1 year remaining x 3.75 AAV)
Pick (?)

Why NJ does this:

This is the last year Dougie is likely the #1 PPQB before Luke takes over with RHD Nemec/Casey waiting in the wings. Luke is also an RFA and in line for a big extension (8x8 minimum) and Kovacevic is a UFA. There’s a good chance it makes sense to re-sign Kovacevic this off-season, move Dougie a year too early rather than too late, and open up a spot for Nemec at 3RD. Devils can maximize Dougie’s value this off-season before he potentially takes on a secondary role and is harder to move. Dougie also has a NMC and there’s a good chance Dallas is one of the few teams he would agree to waive for (taxes, clear role/need, Cup contender, good weather, etc.)

Marchment would be an excellent option to play with Hughes-Bratt or Hischier. Dumba would be a cap dump that could be the 7th D or bought out. Devils could see the value in taking on an overpaid Dumba for one year to completely free up the last two years of Dougie’s 9 million AAV.

Why Dallas does this:

It hurts to move Marchment but they would be able to get the top pairing RHD that they desperately lack. A top four of Heiskanen - Harley; Lindell - Hamilton would be exceptional. Moving Marchment also opens up a permanent spot for their young forwards next year. There’s also the added bonus of getting out of the Dumba contract since he’s grossly overpaid.

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[dgibb10]

Also, Dallas PP is an abysmal 16.67% rn

 

[Golden_Jet]

It would depend how much NJ would retain on Hamilton,

 

[Zippy316]

It would depend how much NJ would retain on Hamilton,

In theory, Devils taking on Dumba would be their way to even out the cap hit for 2025-26 as it would only be a net increase of 750k for Dallas.

I suppose there’s a chance they’d agree to retain a million or so, but the intent is to trade Dougie’s contract and get out with as much cap space as possible for 26-27 and 27-28.

 

[Smitty426]

Re-iterating the fact that this would be an off-season deal. Ideally, it would be pre-draft and timed to allow the Devils the option to use the buyout window on Dumba:

Dougie Hamilton (3 years remaining x 9.0 AAV)
for
Mason Marchment (1 year remaining x 4.5 AAV)
Matt Dumba (1 year remaining x 3.75 AAV)
Pick (?)

Why NJ does this:

This is the last year Dougie is likely the #1 PPQB before Luke takes over with RHD Nemec/Casey waiting in the wings. Luke is also an RFA and in line for a big extension (8x8 minimum) and Kovacevic is a UFA. There’s a good chance it makes sense to re-sign Kovacevic this off-season, move Dougie a year too early rather than too late, and open up a spot for Nemec at 3RD. Devils can maximize Dougie’s value this off-season before he potentially takes on a secondary role and is harder to move. Dougie also has a NMC and there’s a good chance Dallas is one of the few teams he would agree to waive for (taxes, clear role/need, Cup contender, good weather, etc.)

Marchment would be an excellent option to play with Hughes-Bratt or Hischier. Dumba would be a cap dump that could be the 7th D or bought out. Devils could see the value in taking on an overpaid Dumba for one year to completely free up the last two years of Dougie’s 9 million AAV.

Why Dallas does this:

It hurts to move Marchment but they would be able to get the top pairing RHD that they desperately lack. A top four of Heiskanen - Harley; Lindell - Hamilton would be exceptional. Moving Marchment also opens up a permanent spot for their young forwards next year. There’s also the added bonus of getting out of the Dumba contract since he’s grossly overpaid.

Maybe by the end of the season, but Luke is still a little too much run n gun like Jack is. I was no fan of him there last year as well (he's got a season under his belt, I get it). The success this year will dictate these terms and honestly not sure if a good run helps move the needle or a less than stellar showing does on a DH move

 

[Zippy316]

Maybe by the end of the season, but Luke is still a little too much run n gun like Jack is. I was no fan of him there last year as well (he's got a season under his belt, I get it). The success this year will dictate these terms and honestly not sure if a good run helps move the needle or a less than stellar showing does on a DH move

I agree with this. Dougie has more poise which lends himself to be a better fit as PPQB and in situations where we need a goal like 6-on-5. However, at some point, that transition is going to have to be made. If you wait to move Dougie until afterwards or he regresses, moving that deal is going to be brutal.

After the Devils signed Dillon and Pesce this past off-season, it’s going to be tough to fit in a long term extension for Luke and keep Hamilton. You could bridge Luke and try to build the best team you can for the next 2-3 years but odds are that next deal for Luke is going to be massive.

A deal like this is a bit of calculated risk in hoping that the revamped D can handle losing Dougie while Luke (or Nemec or Casey) assume his role. If we can reallocate some money to improving the forward depth, it may also help there as well.