The Toronto Maple Leafs are sign New Jersey Devils top-pair defenseman Dougie Hamilton this offseason.
According to a report by James Murphy of RG Media, an anonymous source revealed that Toronto is one of several teams reaching out to New Jersey about Hamilton’s availability.
An NHL executive told the outlet:
“Teams are making inquiries about Hamilton. I’ve heard the Leafs checked in on him. They’re evaluating multiple blue line options—especially ones who bring offensive upside. That’s clearly their focus, and Hamilton fits that mold.”
Although there’s strong interest in the 32-year-old, league chatter suggests the Devils aren’t actively shopping him. Still, that hasn’t stopped teams from calling.
In addition to the Leafs, the Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Utah Mammoth have also expressed interest. Hamilton is currently entering the fifth season of a seven-year, $63 million contract.
While New Jersey isn’t entertaining trade talks at this time, the source noted that circumstances can shift quickly in the NHL:
“Things can change fast in this league. One phone call can flip the script. But there are definitely factors to weigh when it comes to Hamilton.”
Essentially, if the right offer comes along, New Jersey could reconsider its stance on keeping the 2011 first-round pick.
Maple Leafs’ Offer Unknown
The report didn’t detail what the Leafs might have offered or whether formal talks took place. It’s also unclear whether the Devils have set a specific asking price.
Any potential deal for Hamilton would likely need to include a top-tier defenseman to replace him in the lineup. The Devils could also be interested in a forward who can provide immediate scoring help.
Given New Jersey’s win-now mindset, it’s doubtful they’d settle for just draft picks or prospects—they would likely seek players who can contribute right away.
No-Trade Clause a Possible Barrier
Hamilton’s contract, per Spotrac, now includes a modified no-trade clause (effective in 2025-26) rather than the full no-movement clause he had previously. While this makes a deal somewhat easier, it still poses a hurdle—if Toronto is one of the 10 teams on Hamilton’s no-trade list, he would need to approve any move.
While a deal between the Leafs and Devils seems unlikely at the moment, the RG Media source emphasized that things can shift quickly. If Toronto—or another team—presents a compelling offer, Hamilton could find himself on the move this summer.
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