The New Jersey Devils have been very quiet for the last week or so. Since the Independence Day holiday in the US, the Devils haven’t made a move. They’ve said that the most important move was getting Luke Hughes re-signed, and that might be holding things up. According to Puck Pedia, the Devils have just under $7 million in cap space. That might not even be enough to sign Hughes as is if they want him to accept an eight-year deal.
The Devils have a few routes to shed salary. They could trade Ondrej Palat, which is the route most people are hoping the Devils go. This would also keep the opportunity to get another upgrade at forward on top of signing Hughes long-term. They could also trade Dawson Mercer, who would likely have the most value. He’s just 23 years old and hasn’t missed an NHL game in his career.
While those rumors exist, they are quiet. Too quiet. The one rumor that’s been pretty loud as of late is the one surrounding Dougie Hamilton’s status.
It’s been reported in multiple places that Hamilton is available. Whether it’s the Devils calling other teams shopping him or other teams calling about his availability is not clear, but Tom Fitzgerald has reportedly been listening to offers. The fact that nothing has happened shows he hasn’t heard an offer he likes, yet.
The implications of the Hamilton loss are far-reaching. He was the first player to choose the Devils in free agency under this regime. He came to the Devils when success wasn’t a guarantee. Yes, they paid him $9 million, but he was the top defenseman in free agency and was going to get a bag anywhere he went.
Losing him shows the lack of loyalty that comes with sports. The Devils would sell on Hamilton after he pushed himself to return for the playoffs. After he chose New Jersey over other suitors. Hamilton was a good soldier for this team and never made a peep when things went wrong.
But nothing has happened that can’t be undone. If the Devils don’t trade Hamilton, he would continue to be that good soldier, and the right side of the defense would remain intact. There will eventually be a logjam if Simon Nemec can keep his NHL status and Johnny Kovacevic returns from injury, but that’s an issue to figure out later.
Keeping Hamilton makes this team better. There’s nothing they could add that would replace him.
Well… except Quinn Hughes.
Now Quinn Hughes isn’t coming to New Jersey this offseason, but there’s a nonzero chance that he calls for a trade during the season, and New Jersey gets involved then. With two years left on his deal, many expect Quinn to join his brothers in 2027. However, it makes sense to get him early if that deal is on the table.
Many expect the Devils to have to choose between Hamilton and the eldest Hughes brother. That much was said on The Sheet with Jeff Marek.
""I always assumed that when the Devils cut ties with Dougie (Hamilton), it would be in service of acquiring Quinn (Hughes). Like both of those things could not coexist on the roster at the same time.""Jeff Marek on The Sheet
Why couldn't the Devils have Hamilton and Hughes on the same roster? It wouldn't be easy, but it's not impossible.
With Hamilton's $9 million owed this season, the salary cap does become an issue, but if the Devils lose Palat earlier this offseason and then trades Dawson Mercer in the theoretical Quinn Hughes trade. That would actually make it easy to fit both Hamilton and Hughes on the roster. If Luke Hughes sign for around $8 million, then they can fit Quinn Hughes's $7.85 million as well.
It would hurt the Devils' ability to trade for another top-six forward, and the Devils might have one of the most expensive defenses in the league, but this is what a team should be spending money on. The Sheldon Keefe system has taken away offense from the defensive end. With Quinn Hughes added to this roster, that offense would come much more easily.
The fact of the matter is Quinn Hughes and Dougie Hamilton can co-exist on the same roster. They might even be linemates at times. Hamilton might get traded, but its not a necessity to get Quinn Hughes on this roster.