Hurricanes GM Gives Update on the Future of Dougie Hamilton

The Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Dougie Hamilton have yet to have any discussions around a contract extension but that doesn't mean there isn't any interest. The Hurricanes would love to get a deal done before next season begins, and given that there's roughly six weeks before puck drop, they better get to it.

The 27-year-old Hamilton is heading into his final season of his current contract which was a six year deal he signed in 2015. Hamilton is currently making $5.75 million per season. He's headed to unrestricted free-agency after next season and in line for a huge pay day, as the right-handed defenseman would be one of the most coveted players on the market.

Carolina Hurricanes' general manager, Don Waddell doesn't want that to be an option. He recently spoke with the media and had this to say:

We're getting close to talking about it. Dougie's not back here, yet. He's still up in Toronto. He's coming back here I think at the end of the week. … He is a UFA at the end of the year, so we'd like to get that one done sooner than later. That one, you would have doubts if you play out the season, so it makes sense to try to get something done before the start of the season.

You've got a flat cap for the next two years, we know that. We also know that the market's changed. I'm not saying we're not going to do a long-term deal, but the long-term deals, if you look at free agency, you've only got a few guys that got more than three years in the whole market. … So I think the market has changed and it should change because of the situation we're all in.

Nobody asked to be in this situation, but we're in it and we've got to figure out the best way to do deal with it.

Hamilton finished last year with 40 points in 47 regular-season games before breaking his leg. Both Carolina and Hamilton are hoping next season is a healthy one, not only for Hamilton's body, but also his wallet.