On Sportsnet’s latest Saturday Headlines, Elliotte Friedman reported that the San Jose Sharks attempted to trade for New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton during the 2025 off-season.
Per Friedman, the Sharks and Devils were close enough to a trade that Hamilton used his trade protection to block the move.
“In the summer, San Jose did try to trade for him, and Hamilton blocked that move,” Friedman said. “Now, the way it’s going for the Sharks, maybe he changes his mind.”
The Sharks have been in the market for some defensive help, and adding a player like Hamilton would go a long way. It has been a slower year for the normally offensive-minded d-man. Hamilton has just five goals and five assists in 40 games this season.
Hamilton is expected to be a healthy scratch for the Devils on Sunday, in favor of Johnathan Kovacevic, who is returning from injury. The Devils maintain that the move is strictly lineup-based, but per Pierre LeBrun, Hamilton’s agent says it is business-based.
Reached out to Dougie Hamilton’s agent J.P. Barry. His response:
“Dougie was informed today that he will be not be playing now that Kovacevic is back in the lineup. In our view,
this decision is all about business rather than his game right now. Singling him out seems very…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 10, 2026
Hamilton is in the fifth year of a seven-year contract with an AAV of $9 million. This season, Hamilton’s trade protection went from a full no-trade clause to a 10-team trade list. That means Hamilton can reject any trade to a team that isn’t on his 10-team list.
Given that Hamilton blocked a trade to the San Jose Sharks, that likely means a deal was accepted at some point. If Hamilton changed his mind and is open to a trade, there might be a package already built. Mike Grier and Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald could be on the phone again soon if that’s the case.
Reports of unrest between Hamilton and the Devils surfaced around the same time Quinn Hughes was dealt to the Minnesota Wild. Hamilton’s contract posed a complex cap space problem for the Devils to navigate.
“There’s no question that the feelings are very hard on both sides. Losing does that. Hamilton, feeling he’s being targeted for non-performance reasons, certainly does that,” Friedman said.
The San Jose Sharks lead the Pacific Division in wins with 23, and are one point out of first. Depending on other results around the NHL, the Sharks could take over first place as soon as Sunday. If playoffs are on the table for the Sharks, adding Hamilton could bolster the Sharks’ blue line at the right cost.
Hamilton scored a career high 74 points (22 goals, 52 assists) during the 2022-23 season.
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