New Jersey Devils: Don’t Freak Out About Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton has not looked like his usual self since returning to the lineup after he broke his jaw due to a puck to the face. Despite coming into the New Jersey Devils as one of the best power play defensemen in the league, he’s been relegated to the second unit on what’s just a terrible power play in general. Only five teams in the league have a worst PP% than the Devils 17.7%.

The Devils’ power play was doing well there for a few weeks, but it seems like it was just a fluke. It did coincide with Hamilton’s injury. However, it wasn’t like the second power-play unit that was leading the charge. In January, Jack Hughes had five power-play points. He’s never had more than two in any other month this season. Both his points in February came in the same game.

Clearly, the power play issues are more philosophy than it is the players on the unit. The team is very good at scoring when it’s at even strength. The Devils have scored 131 goals at 5v5 according to Natural Stat Trick. That’s good for 14th in the league. A lack of finishing ability early in the season leads to 134 expected goals for the Devils, ranking eighth in the league there.

The offense has grown immensely in 2021-22. There are many factors, including the rise of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt. However, the addition of offense through defenseman is helping as well. Hamilton is a huge contributor there. Hamilton and Ryan Graves, Hamilton’s usual partner, are second and fourth on the Devils in rush attempts. They jump into the offense very often because of the speed coming from the back half of the team.

However, despite the offense that Hamilton is bringing to the team at even strength, the struggles the Devils are having seem to be falling on the lap of the Devils $9 million defenseman. To be fair, when a player makes that much money, the expectations are high. Then, when the team falls apart, there is plenty of blame to go around.

When a play like the one that happens on Saturday afternoon to end the game, it will come with criticism.

Connor McDavid, the best player in the world, was right there and Hamilton still attempted the pass. It was a bad move on what became a bad day for Hamilton. It happens. However, Hamilton does need some consistency.

Hamilton is still doing a lot right. He’s blocked more shots than anyone on the team since he returned to the lineup. He’s also created seven rebounds from his shots, by far the most since his return on February 24th.

There are talks of regrets for Hamilton’s contract already, but that’s preposterous. Hamilton has been really good for most of the year, and while he’s struggling with turnovers right now, he’s still doing a lot to help the team. The goalie situation makes winning impossible, but in a more normal situation, Hamilton could help this team win. The Devils have one solidified right-handed defenseman who will be in New Jersey long term. That is Hamilton. P.K. Subban and Damon Severson both have questions about their future with the organization, but the Devils are still in good hands with Hamilton.