The New Jersey Devils continue to deal with the dilemma that is the Dougie Hamilton situation. The club has been trying to trade him, but let’s just say things haven’t gone too well.
But the Devils could have the solution to that issue sitting right in front of them. The chatter of Hamilton going to the Toronto Maple Leafs has not gone away. Pundits continue to push the narrative that Hamilton is the answer to the Leafs’ blueline issues.
Fair enough. Talk has also picked up regarding the Maple Leafs’ top blueliner, Morgan Rielly. Fans and pundits have blasted the longtime Leaf for underperforming this season. So, wouldn’t the Devils and Maple Leafs help each other out by swapping blueliners?
This situation could very well be a 1-for-1 hockey trade. The chatter in Toronto is that Rielly needs a fresh start. Meanwhile, New Jersey wants to shed Hamilton’s cap hit. Ultimately, the deal works for both sides.
But there’s one other interesting aspect that makes this trade feasible. Rielly has a connection to the current Devils’ coach, Sheldon Keefe. In fact, Rielly had some of his most productive seasons under Keefe. So, wouldn’t it be fair to assume that a reunion could benefit the veteran blueliner?
The question, however, would be Rielly’s cap hit and how it might factor into the Devils’ structure.
Devils would gain more than just cap space
Hamilton has two more years remaining on his current deal at $9 million per season. That’s the apparent anchor holding the club back.
Rielly, meanwhile, comes with four more years at $7.5 million per season. That’s about $1.5 million in savings. It’s not a lot, but it’s something. The extra million and a half, plus the boost from the rising cap next season, could help the Devils figure out other plans moving forward.
While the cap savings wouldn’t be substantial, the Devils would gain much more in this trade. Rielly is a proven veteran. He’s played in nearly 1,000 games and brings significant playoff experience.
Perhaps the biggest advantage is that he wouldn’t be “the guy” in New Jersey. He could settle into a middle-pairing role with Brett Pesce, for instance. Pesce would be the defensively reliable partner that he’s always lacked. Plus, Pesce is a right-shot, whereas Rielly is a left-shot. It’s the sort of match that would make sense for everyone involved.
Yes, the biggest knock on this trade would be Rielly’s elevated cap hit. But with both Hamilton and Rielly looking for fresh starts elsewhere, this could be the sort of trade that both teams should at least do their due diligence on.