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.

 

[Djp]

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.

Hamilton turns 32 at the end of the playoffs and has 3 more years at a high cap hit.

Don’t think you can unload him without taking term money back or retaining

 

[SladeWilson23]

I'd rather keep him for at least one more year after this one. We will never see 80 point Hamilton again imo, but 50 point Dougie is fine. Luke still isn't completely polished. I'd rather wait until we know he is THE guy before moving Dougie.

 

[qc14]

I actually like this for both teams if the pick is pretty minimal

 

[roryjones]

No thanks from Dallas. His contract is way too big to take on for an additional 2 years after dumba and marchement fall off the books.

 

[canuckslover10]

Hamilton turns 32 at the end of the playoffs and has 3 more years at a high cap hit.

Don’t think you can unload him without taking term money back or retaining

Lol why are you talking about Hamilton like he is a negative asset im sure they are a bunch of teams willing to trade for a #1 Dman even if hes 32 only has 3 years left, Most elite dmen seem to be doing fine at age 35.

 

[iago]

Lol why are you talking about Hamilton like he is a negative asset im sure they are a bunch of teams willing to trade for a #1 Dman even if hes 32 only has 3 years left, Most elite dmen seem to be doing fine at age 35.

The knock on Hamilton has always been that, though offensively talented, he is soft defensively, and has always shied away from contact. That's why he is playing for his 4th team, and why NJ might consider moving him. To get another team to take on his full salary/cap hit, the return would be on the moderate side.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

The Devils would have to retain on that contract...Hams has started to take the body more (for him) maybe realizing he needs to finally needs to round out his game more to make up for a decrease in speed...Let Nemec and Casey cook in AHL Nemec has started producing more...Better to maybe trade one of them for a similar high upside fwd prospect in coming year or years

 

[Smitty426]

Lol why are you talking about Hamilton like he is a negative asset im sure they are a bunch of teams willing to trade for a #1 Dman even if hes 32 only has 3 years left, Most elite dmen seem to be doing fine at age 35.

Agreed. He's not that far removed from a 77 pt season and been in the Norris conversation a number of times (not recent of course, but not 10 yrs ago either). He's overpaid is all imo.

 

[JeffP]

I like Dougie Hamilton but look at how many Stars fans are in this thread. Term and hit are high and hes not in his 20s anymore. It is what it is, similar to Seth Jones here.. retention would be key.

 

[eojsmada]

Not a big fan of Hamilton at his cap hit. Two seasons of more than 50 point at three more years of 9M/year is probably too much for Dallas. They would probably want someone who is more aligned with their core players' age.

ETA: They also have Bichsel and Kyrou doing well in the AHL that they would probably want to make room for during the time of Hamilton's contract.

 

[crackdown44]

I like Dougie Hamilton but look at how many Stars fans are in this thread. Term and hit are high and hes not in his 20s anymore. It is what it is, similar to Seth Jones here.. retention would be key.

I’d say the main difference is that Hamilton is good and Seth Jones is bad

 

[x Tame Impala]

There won’t be room for Hamilton after we trade them Seth Jones

 

[oconnor9sean]

Pass from Dallas. Marchment provides too much value at a very low cap hit.

 

[GetBentDotCom]

Additionally he adds swimming and diving lessons to the team at no charge.

 

[JeffP]

I’d say the main difference is that Hamilton is good and Seth Jones is bad

thank you, very cool

 

[Dr Pepper]

Works for me, Dallas is in dire need of a right shot QB

 

[theoptimist]

I'd rather keep him for at least one more year after this one. We will never see 80 point Hamilton again imo, but 50 point Dougie is fine. Luke still isn't completely polished. I'd rather wait until we know he is THE guy before moving Dougie.

What?

Agreed. He's not that far removed from a 77 pt season and been in the Norris conversation a number of times (not recent of course, but not 10 yrs ago either). He's overpaid is all imo.

He's not that far removed from the best season of his hockey playing career? Not a strong argument to buy or sell. 22-23 Devils he contributed 74 regular season points. Next highest was with CGY during the 2016-2017 season; 50 points.