It's Official! Dougie Hamilton Signs Long-Term With The Devils

After much speculation, Dougie Hamilton has found a new home. The 27-year old right-shot defenceman has signed long-term in New Jersey; 7 years at $9 million AAV. 7 years will be the longest Hamilton has spent with any one team, having spent 3 years apiece with Boston, Calgary, and Carolina. Dougie will be about to turn 34 when his new contract expires.

Drafted by the Boston Bruins 9th overall in 2011, Hamilton made his NHL debut in the lockout-shortened 2012-2013 season. He played three seasons for Boston before being traded to Calgary for a !st and two 2nd round picks. He then played three seasons for the Flames, missing just one game in that span, and scoring more than ten goals each year. Then, Hamilton was traded along with Michael Ferland and current Norris Trophy-winner Adam Fox to Carolina in exchange for Noah Hanafin and Elias Lindholm. Side note: can we acknowledge how incredible it is that Calgary has a right-side defence at all? They've lost Hamilton, Fox, and TJ Brodie, all number 1 right Dmen, all in the last four years. Ouch. Hamilton then played 3 more seasons with Carolina and established himself as one of the most dominant offensive defencemen in the NHL.

Hamilton's offensive production is some of the best in the world from a defenceman. He has always been sold as an offensive Dman, but has been setting career highs nearly every season he's played in the NHL. The last two years have thrown him off that track, with both injuries and the pandemic diminishing the number of games he's appeared in, but his production rate has continued to ramp up season after season, even with fewer games played. New Jersey has signed themselves a potential franchise player, and a key piece as they look to emerge from their rebuild.

What do you think about Hamilton signing with the Devils?

Photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports